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PROCEEDINGS 


Boston  SocietB  of  JJatural  ^istori). 


VOL.  II 


1845  TO  1848. 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED    FOR    THE    SOCIETY 

BY    FREEMAN    AND    BOLLES. 
1848. 


PROCEEDINGS 

OF  THE  5  *   ^^-"-^  , 

BOSTON    SOCIETY  OF   NATUEAL   HISTORY. 

TAKEN  FROM  THE  SOCIETY'S  RECORDS. 


January  1,  1845. 

The  President,  A.  Binney,  Esq.  in  the  Chair. 

The  President  communicated  the  following  paper  from 
Professor  C.  B.  Adams,  of  Middlebury  College, Vermont :  — 

SPECIERUM   NO  VARUM  CONCHYLIORUM,   IN   JAMAICA   REPER- 
TORUM,  SYNOPSIS,  k  C.  B.  Adams,  Chim.  et  Hist.  Nat.  Prof.  &c.* 

PARS  I. 

Species   Marin-e. 

Marginella  rubella.  M.  t.  tenui,  elongata,  fasciis  tribus 
rubellis  ornata ;  anf.  4 ;  spira  vitrea ;  labro  albo,  maculis  tribus 
rubellis  ornato,  aperturam  supra  angustante  ;  columella  4-pIicata. 
Diverg.  100° ;  spirse  long.  .025  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .35  poll.  ;  lat. 
.17  poll. 

Erato  (?)  cypr-^oides.  M.  t.  solida,  alba  ;  anf.  infra  suturam 
fusco-canaliculatis  ;  spira  plana,   parva ;    apertura   lineari,   pro- 

*  The  following  species  were  collected  by  the  writer  in  Jamaica,  principally  in 
February  and  March  of  the  present  year,  (1844.)  His  limited  opportunities  for 
consulting  valuable  books  render  it  probable  that  he  has  brought  forward  some 
species  which  have  been  described  elsewhere,  and  that  he  has  used  names 
already  preoccupied.  As  he  contemplates  the  publication  of  a  more  extended 
article  on  the  subject,  any  information  from  those  into  whose  hands  this  paper 
may  come,  will  be  thankfully  received.  He  cannot  omit  to  acknowledge  his 
indebtedness  to  Dr.  Binney,  especially,  for  the  frequent  use  of  his  very  rich  and 
extensive  library. 

PROCEEDINGS    B.  S.   N.  H.  1  JAN.   1845. 


2 


funde  emarginata ;  labro  extra  crasso,  intus  exile  crenulato ; 
labio  per  totum  transversim  exile  plicato.  Long.  .325  poll. ; 
lat.  .2  poll. 

MiTRA  ALBo-ciNCTA.  M.  t.  minima,  fusiformi ;  anf.  6,  fascia 
superiore  fusca,  inferiore  alba  majori  ornatis,  slriis  decurrentibus 
et  costis  latis  spiralium  anfractuum  latitudine  brevioribus — in- 
structis;  canali  brevi.  Div.  40°;  spirse  long.  .11  poll.;  long, 
tot.  .2  poll.  ;  lat.  .1  poll.     M.  savignyi  affinis. 

MiTRA  ExiGUA.  M.  t.  minima,  ovali-elongata,  albida  ;  anf.  6, 
supra  costellis  plurimis  et  infra  coslis  latis — instructis,  supra 
atropurpureis,  infra  fusco-maculatis ;  ultimo  infra  sicut  supra 
insculpto;  canali  brevi.  Spirse  long.  .075  poll.;  long.  tot.  .13 
poll.  ;  lat.  .06  poll. 

CoLUMBELLA  PURPURASCENS.  C.  t.  parva,  pallide  purpurea, 
striis  decurrentibus  supra  labrum  in  fauces  productis  ornala  ;  anf. 
5.i  ;  apertura  elongata  ;  columella  supra  excavata.  Div.  50°  ; 
spirse  long.  .09  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .27  poll.  ;  lat.  .13  poll. 

CoLUMBELLA  suBCosTULATA.  C  t.  C  pygmcBCB  Sowb.  affini, 
exiliore,  costis  minus  elevatis,  apertura  latiore  ;  fusco  irregu- 
lariter  maculata  et  reticulata.  Div.  ib. ;  spirse  long.  .165  poll.; 
long.  tot.  .285  poll.  ;  lat.  .125  poll. 

BucciNUM  cANDiDissiMUM.  B.  t.  parvula,  alba,  solida  ,  anf. 
6^,  supra  striis  decurrentibus,  costis  (anf.  cujusque  7  vel  8)  ad 
suturam  supra  baud  productis,  latis,  Isevibus — ornatis ;  labro 
crassissimo ;  labio  calloso.  Div.  50°  ;  spirse  long.  .275  poll.  ; 
long.  tot.  .45  poll. ;  lat.  .23  poll. 

BucciNUM  coNCiNNUM.  B.  t.  parva,  nitida,  flavo-fusca,  fusco- 
maculata,  maculis  plerumque  seriatis ;  anf.  7,  costis  parvis,  et 
striis  decurrentibus ;  labro  solido  et  albo-varicato,  intus  6-den- 
ticulato;  apertura  lacunata.  Div.  40°;  spira3  long.  .12  poll.; 
long.  tot.  .225  poll. ;  lat.  .11  poll. 

BucciNUM  OBESUM.  B.  t.  parva,  lata,  fusiformi,  supra  et  infni 
acuminata,  atra,  albo-fasciata  ;  anf.  5,  costis  parvis  prominulis,  et 
striis  decurrentibus  baud  costas  superantibus — instructis ;  labro 
incrassato  sed  acuto,  intus  6-denticulato,  supra  sinuato  ;  labio 
subcalloso.  Div.  45°  ;  spira;  long.  .11  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .21  poll.  ; 
lat.  .11  poll. 

Purpura  nodulosa.  P.  t.  solida,  parva,  rhombica  ;  anf.  5, 
nodulis  seriatis,  et  striis  subimbricatis  decurrentibus,  aterrimis, 
maculis  albidis  inter  secundse    et    quartse    serierum    nodulos — 


ornatis  ;  labro  incrassato,  intus  4-denticulato.  Div.  45° ;  spirae 
long.  .32  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .62  poll.  ;  lat.  .32  poll. 

Fusus  MURicoiDES.  F.  t.  parva ;  anf.  6,  singulatim  coslis  9 
vel  10  propinquis,  et  striis  decurrentibus  inequalibus  partim 
granosis — instruclis;  apertura  violacescenle,  angusta  ;  labro  cras- 
so,  intus  albo-denticulato ;  labio  subrugoso ;  canali  brevi.  Div. 
40°  ;  spirse  long.  .32  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .6  poll. ;  lat.  .25  poll. 

Pleurotoma  albo-maculata.     p.  t.   parva,  rubro-fusca ;  anf. 

7,  infra  longitudinaliter  tuberculatis,  supra  tuberculis  minoribus 
transversis  et  striis  pluribus  granosis  decurrentibus — instructis ; 
tuberculis  et  granulis  albis ;  sinus  ostio  contracto  ;  canali  brevis- 
simo.  Div.  35°  ;  spirce  long.  .25  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .48  poll. ;  lat. 
.06  poll. 

Pleurotoma  albo-cincta.  P.  t.  parva,  rubro-fusca,  anf.  6, 
supra  carina  albo-tuberculata,  infra  carina  enodi — instructis,  me- 
diis  striatis,  striis  creberrimis  subtilissimis  decurrentibus  ;  anf. 
ultinno  alteris  carinis  tuberculosis,  et  fascia  alba  ornato  ;  anf. 
etiam  longitudinaliter  costulatis,  intersectionibus  noduliferis ;  ca- 
nali brevi.  Div.  45°  ;  spirae  long.  .16  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .28  poll.  ; 
lat.  .13  poll. 

Pleurotoma  nigrescens.    P.  t  .parva,  atro-violacescente  ;  anf. 

8,  sulco  sinum  sequente,  exilissime  decussato — instructis,  ceterum 
granulosis,  decussatis  ;  labro  crassissimo  ;  sinu  baud  multum  pro- 
fundo  ;  canali  brevissimo.  Div.  30° ;  spirse  long.  .2  poll.  ;  long, 
tot.  .3  poll.;  lat.  .11  poll. 

Pleurotoma  trilineata.  P.  t.  minima,  alba,  lineis  tribus 
pallide  fuscis  fasciata  ;  anf.  6J-,  subangulatis,  lineis  pluribus  eleva- 
tis  decurrentibus,  et  costulis  longitudinalibus — instructis ;  labro 
crasso ;  sinu  profundo ;  canali  brevissimo.  Div.  25° ;  spirae 
long.  .1  poll.  ;  long.  .185  poll. ;  lat.  .075  poll. 

Pleurotoma  albida.  P.  t.  parva,  albida,  linea  flavo-fusca 
decurrente  costulis  interrupta  ;  anf  6,  perconvexis,  subangulatis, 
costulis  crassis,et  striis  profundis  decurrentibus  minus  ssepe  costu- 
las  superantibus — instructis  ;  sinu  baud  profundo  ;  canali  sub- 
brevi.  Div.  30° ;  spirse  long.  .15  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .26  poll. ;  lat. 
.11  poll. 

Pleurotoma  multilineata.  P.  t.  minima,  flavido-fusca, 
albo-multilineata  ;  anf  6,  singulatim  costis  8  ad  10  latis,  ad  basim 
expansis,  et  striis  creberrimis  decurrentibus  inequalibus — in- 
structis ;    sutura    profunda  ;    sinu    magno ;    canali    brevissimo. 


4 


Div.  35°  ad  25°  ;  spirse  long.  .11  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .18  poll. ;  lat. 
.08  poll 

Pleurotoma  albo-vittata.  p.  t.  parva,  flavido-fusca,  fascia 
alba  latissima — cincta  ;  sutura  parum  impressa  ;  anf.  6,  baud 
multum  convexis,  singulatirn  costis  8  vel  9  latis,  et  striis  creber- 
rimis  decurrentibus  inequalibus — ornatis  ;  sutura  baud  multum 
impressa  ;  sinu  magno  ;  canali  brevissimo.  Div.  33°  ad  23°  ; 
spirae  long.  .15  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .25  poll. ;  lat.  .1  poll. 

Pleurotoma  candidissima.  P.  t.  parva,  candidissima  ;  sutura 
profunda  ;  anf.  5,  supra  subangulatis,  singulatim  costis  8  vel  9 
robustis  subcompressis,  et  striis  decurrentibus  baud  crebris  paral- 
lelis — instructis  ;  canali  brevissimo.  Div.  35° ;  spirae  long.  .1 
poll. ;  long.  .19  poll. ;  lat.  .085  poll. 

Pleurotoma  fusca.  P.  t.  parva,  fusca  ;  sutura  profunda  ; 
anf  5,  singulatim  costis  8  vel  9,  et  multis  striis  decurrentibus  in- 
equidistantibus — instructis  ;  labro  expanse  ;  sinu  parvo  ;  canali 
brevissimo.  Div.  35°  ad  25°  ;  spirse  long.  .12  poll. ;  long.  tot. 
.22  poll.;  lat.  .1  poll. 

Pleurotoma  dubia,  a  P.  multilineatd  baud  multum  differt ; 
costse  angustiores  sunt,  et  ad  basim  compressse.     Forsan  var. 

Pleurotoma  minor.  P.  t.  minima,  solida,  flavido-fusca,  fasciis 
albis  duabus  aliquanto  interruptis,  (altera  ad  spiram  pertinente, 
altera  anf  ultimum  infra  cingente,) — cincta  ;  anf  6,  subnodulosis, 
singulatim  costis  9  robustis  convexis,  striis  latis  decurrentibus — 
instructis.  Div.  25°;  spirae  long.  .11  poll.;  long.  tot.  .16  poll.; 
lat.  .07  poll. 

Pleurotoma  fusco-lineata.  P.  t.  parva,  albida,  lineis  pluri- 
bus  fuscis  irregulariter  interruptis  cincta  ;  anf.  7,  singulatim  costis 
10  ad  12  et  striis  profundis  decurrentibus  baud  costas  superantibus 
— instructis  ;  sinu  minime  profundo ;  canali  brevissimo.  Div.  25°; 
spirse  long.  .13  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .2  poll. ;  lat.  .08  poll. 

Pleurotoma  elatior.  P.  t.  minima,  subconica,  albida,  fusces- 
cente,  lineis  flavido-fuscis  decurrentibus  inequalibus  a  costis  inter- 
ruptis— ornata  ;  spira  elongata  ;  anf  6,  baud  multum  convexis, 
singulatim  costis  12  baud  robustis,  et  striis  decurrentibus  subpro- 
fundis,  una  profundiore — instructis  ;  sinu  minime  profundo ;  ca- 
nali brevissimo.  Div.  22°  ;  spirae  long.  .125  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .19 
poll.  ;  lat.  .075  poll. 

Cerithium  ambiguum.    C.  lafondii,  Kr.,  affine  ;  t.   costis  plu- 


ribus,  20  ad  25,  minoribus — instructa,  prjEcipue  elatiore  minusque 
robusta. 

Div.  spirae  long.  long.  tot.  lat. 

C.  lafondii  :       23°  ;       .57  poll. ;         .8  poll. ;       .8  poll. 

»'   ambiguum:     17°;       .65    ''     ;         .8     "     ;       .2    " 

Cerithium  gibberulum.  C.  t.  minima,  tenui,  nigrescente  ; 
anf.  9,  singulatim  plicis  18,  et  slriis  decurrentibus  latis  5  vel  6, 
intersectionibus  nodiferis — instructis  ;  anf.  ultimo  varice  dorsali, 
plicis  obsoletis  et  striis  minoribus — instructo  ;  apertura  emarginata. 
Div.  30°  ad  25° ;  spiral  long.  .17  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .24  poll. ;  lat. 
.085  poll. 

Cerithitjm  iota.  C.  t.  minima,  atro-rubra  ;  sutura  profunda  ; 
anf.  10,  plicis  decurrentibus  tribus,  (anf.  ultimi  4,)  et  plicis  longi- 
tudinalibus  minoribus, intersectionibus  nodiferis — instructis;  canali 
brevissimo.  Div.  supra  25°,  infra  nihil  ;  spirse  long.  .095  poll.  ; 
long.  tot.  .12  poll.  ;  lat.  .03  poll. 

Cerithium  variabile.  C.  t.  parva,  solida,  nigra,  irregulariter 
albo-maculata  ;  sutura  profunda  ;  anf.  9,  convexis,  striatis,  striis 
creberrimis  decurrentibus  ;  spirae  anf.  plicis  4  angustis  decurrenti- 
bus, et  plicis  longitudinalibus,  intersectionibus  nodiferis — instruc- 
tis ;  labro  intus  incrassato  et  crenato  ;  labio  supra  uniplicato  ; 
canali  brevi.  Div.  30°  ;  spirae  long.  .34  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .51  poll. ; 
lat.  .2  poll. 

Cerithium  mutabile.  C.  t.  parva,  subtenui,  nigra,  rubescente, 
irregulariter  albo-maculata  ;  sutura  profunda  ;  anf.  9,  baud  mul- 
tum  convexis,  plicis  decurrentibus  pluribus,  3  majoribus,  et  plicis 
longitudinalibus  inequalibus,  intersectionibus  nodiferis — instructis  ; 
canali  brevissimo.  Div.  33°  ;  spiroe  long.  .22  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .22 
poll. ;  lat.  .15  poll. 

Cerithium  algicola.  C.  t.  irregulariter  albo  et  fusco-maculata, 
caerulescente  ;  varicibus  albis  vel  fuscis,  penultimo  ab  ultimo  semi- 
anfractum  distante,  alleris  f  anf.  distantibus ;  anf.  10,  subangula- 
tis,  striis  decurrentibus,  pluribus  exilioribus  5  majoribus  granulosis, 
et  plicis  longitudinalibus — instructis ;  labio  supra  uniplicato  ;  ca- 
nali brevi.  Div.  35°  ad  25°  ;  spirae  long.  .52  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .73 
poll. ;  lat.  .33  poll. 

Cerithium  bicolor.  C.  t.  parva,  solidiuscula,  albida,  fascia 
rubro-fusca — cincta ;  anf.  15  (.?),  planulatis,  lineis  5  elevatis  de- 
currentibus, supra  (2  exceptis)  obsoletis,  et  lineis  elevatis  longi- 
tudinalibus pluribus,  intersectionibus  nodiferis — instructis  ;   anf. 


ultimo  plica  fusca  cincto ;  columella  uniplicata,  plica  decurrente ; 
canali  brevi.  Div.  15° ;  aperturse  long.  .08  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .08 
poll..?;  lat.  .13  poll. 

RissoA  ALBiDA.  R.  t.  magna,  diaphana,  albida  ;  apice  acutis- 
simo  ;  anf.  10,  a  costulis  pluribus  exilissimis,  ad  cujusque  inferam 
partem  obsoletis,  et  striis  exilissimis  decurrentibus,  eleganter  de- 
cussatis  ;  striis  juxta  suturam  profundioribus,  anf.  angustantibus  ; 
labio  a  labro  supra  sinu  disjuncto.  Div.  28°  ;  spirse  long.  .2 
poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .31  poll. ;  lat.  .11  poll. 

RissoA  AFFiNis.  Prsecedcnti  affinis  ;  spira  graciliore  ;  striis 
juxta  suturam  nullis ;  costulis  ad  suturam  infra  productis.  Forsan 
var. 

RissoA  scALARELLA.  R.  t.  parva,  solida,  alba  ;  anf.  8,  singula- 
tim  costis  14  robustis  ad  extremitatem  infra  productis — instructis  ; 
apertura  infra  late  baud  profunde  siiiuata  ;  labro  valde  incrassato. 
Div.  22°  ;  spirse  long.  .1  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .15  poll. ;  lat.  .06  poll. 

RissoA  TERVARicosA.  R.  t.  teuui,  diaphana,  albida,  interdum 
pallide  fusco  exilissime  tessellata  ;  sutura  profunda ;  anf.  9,  con- 
vexis,  singulatim  ter-varicosis,  varicibus  candidissimis,  in  seriebus 
tribus  continuis,  et  striis  exilissimis  distantibus  decurrentibus — 
ornatis.  Div.  23°;  spirse  long.  .17  poll.;  long.  tot.  .225  poll, 
lat.  .08  poll. 

RissoA  CRASsicosTA.  R.  t.  magna,  crassa,  lactea  ;  anf.  7,  cos- 
tulis 11  vel  12,  latis,  obliquis,  supra  suturam  profundam  trajectis, 
et  striis  pluribus  exilissimis  decurrentibus  costulas  superantibus 
— instructis  ;  labro  perincrassato,  infra  baud  sinuate.  Div.  35°  ; 
spirse  Ion.  .21  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .3  poll.  ;  lat.  .11  poll. 

EuLiMA  jAMAiCENSis.  E.  t.  gracili,  lactea,  diaphana,  fascia 
alba  opaca  suturali — cincta  ;  sutura  lineari,  subprofunda  ;  anf. 
13,  planis,  Isevibus ;  apertura  minima ;  labro  expanse.  Div. 
20°  ;  spirse  long.  .23  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .325  poll.  ;  lat.  .1  poll. 

Chemnitzia  BABYLONIA.  C.  t.  parva,  lactea  ;  anf.  (apice  de- 
flecto  excepto)  4,  carinis  duabus  perelevatis  decurrentibus,  inter- 
vallis  concavis^ — ornata  ;  anf.  ultimo  quadricarinato ;  labro  a 
carinis  pectinato.  Div.  20°  ;  spir»  long.  .05  poll.  ;  long.  tot. 
.08  poll. ;  lat.  .03  poll. 

MoNODONTA  MAcuLo-STRiATA.  M.  t.  parva,  crassa,  intus 
virescente,  olivacea,  extra  maculis  subradiantibus  elongatis  paucis 
irregulariter  ornata  ;  anf.  65-,  striis  et  lineis  elevatis  planulatis 
albo   et   nigro    alternatim    maculatis    decurrentibus — instructis ; 


labro  intus  subcrenulato,  infrsL  bi-  vel  tri-dentato  ;  umbilico  pro- 
fundo.  Operculo  flavo ;  anf.  15.  Div.  100°  ad  80°  ;  spirae 
long.  .3  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .48  poll. ;  lat.  .5  poll.  ;  umbilici  diam. 
.1  poll. 

MoNODONTA  ANGULATA.  M.  t.  parva,  crassa,  olivacea,  rubes- 
cente,  maculis  parvis  quadratis  albidis  ornata  ;  spira  conica ; 
sutura  minime  impressa ;  anf.  7,  concavis,  singulatim  plicis 
6  decurrentibus — instructis ;  anf.  ultimo  acute  carinato,  infra 
plicis  8  cincto  ;  apertura  subquadrata  ;  umbilico  angusto,  sub- 
profundo.  Div.  75°  ;  spirae  long.  .16  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .325  poll. ; 
lat.  .32  poll.     3T.  modulo  affinis. 

MoNODONTA  LiviDO-MACuLATA.  M.  t.  albida,  maculis  pluri- 
bus  lividis  fuscescentibus,  magnis,  ornata  ;  sutura  profunda ;  anf. 
6,  subangulatis,  striatis,  striis  latis  inequalibus  decurrentibus  ; 
apertura  transversa,  ovata ;  labro  infra  bi-  vel  ter-emarginato ; 
umbilico  profundo,  bi-  vel  tri-carinato.  Div.  90°  ;  spirae  long. 
.45  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .65  poll.  ;  lat.  .75  poll.  ;  umbilici  diam. 
.14  poll. 

Turbo  (?)  pulchellus.  T.  t.  minima,  albida,  maculis  rubris 
quadratis  inequalibus,  majoribus  nigrescentibus,  serie  decurrente 
dispositis,  ornata  ;  sutura  profunda ;  anf.  5,  mediis  carinatis, 
lineis  elevatis  pluribus  decurrentibus — instructis;  labro  tenui ; 
umbilico  nullo.  Div.  45°  ;  spirae  long.  .09  poll.  ;'  long.  tot.  .165 
poll.  ;  lat.  ,1  poll. 

ScALARiA  MODESTA.  S.  t.  subcrassa,  albida,  baud  nitente  ; 
sutura  profunda;  anf.  9,  costulis  11  robustis  acutis  retro  sub- 
reclinibus,  et  striis  decurrentibus  exilissimis  baud  crebris — in- 
structis ;  ultimo  anfractu  baud  carinato.  Div.  35°  ;  spira3  long. 
.275  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .4  poll. ;  lat.  .175  poll. 

Nerita  prxcognita.  N.  t.  crassa,  olivacea,  albo-marmorata  ; 
anf.  3,  superioribus  convexiusculis ;  ultimo  costulis  rotundatis 
crebris,  striatis,  numerum  (a  20  ad  25)  et  latitudinem  in  diversis 
exemplis  disparibus — ornato  ;  labro  acuto,  a  costulis  eleganter 
pectinate,  intus  juxta  marginem  polito,  interius  crasso  et  crenu- 
lato,  et  supra  infraque  bituberculato  ;  labio  medio  excavate  et 
bidentato,  alibi  plicato  vel  noduloso.  Operculo  pallide  murino, 
creberrime  papillose.     Long.  1.05  poll.;  lat.  1.3  poll. 

Neritina  PYGMiEA.  N.  t.  minima,  tenui,  fusca,  loeviuscula  ; 
spira  vix  elevata,  apice  prominulo  ;  anf   2^  ;  apertura  expansa  ; 


labro  tenui ;  labio  candido,  Isevi ;  operculo  flavido.  Long.  .1 
poll.;  lat.  .13  poll. 

FissuRELLA  ELONGATA.  F.  t.  cloDgata,  tonui,  diaphana,  fusca, 
albido-maculata,  costulis  20  radiantibus,  totidem  brevioribus  al- 
ternatim  dispositis,  et  40  brevissimis  marginalibus  ornata  ;  incre- 
menti  striis  maximis ;  anterius  concava ;  posterius  convexa ; 
intus  coerulescente ;  fissura  atro-marginata,  media  utrumque 
sinuata.  Lon.  .375  poll. ;  lat.  .2  poll.  ;  alt.  .11  poll.  Dec.  ant. : 
Dec.  post.  :  :  1  :  2. 

Patella  tenera.  P.  t.  tenui,  fragili,  diaphana,  albida,  fusco- 
radiata,  (radiis  pleriimque  8)  maculata,  vel  reticulata,  exile 
decussata,  anterius  et  posterius  convexa ;  margine  acuto,  exile 
pectinato.  Long.  .72  poll.;  lat.  .53  poll.;  alt.  .15  poll.;  alt. 
exemp.  long.  .74  poll. ;  lat.  .55  poll. ;  alt.  .21  poll. ;  dec.  ant. : 
dec.  post.  :  :  5  :  8. 

Patella  albicosta.  P.  t.  crassa,  atro-fusca,  costulis  12  ele- 
vatis,  totidem  brevioribus,  omnibus  albis — instructa ;  margine 
pectinato,  juniorum  fusco — et  albo-maculato,  seniorum  albo. 
Long.  .84  poll.  ;  lat.  .7  poll. ;  alt.  .41  poll.  ;  dec.  ant.  :  dec. 
post.  :  :  4  :  5. 

Chiton  squalidus.  C.  t.  albida,  atro-maculata,  maculis  max- 
imis, rugosa ;  areis  a  costa  robusta  discretis  ;  valvis  extremis 
costis  8  ad  10  mstructis  ;  margine  membranaceo,  setosa.  Long. 
1.15  poll.;  lat.  .7  poll. 

Chiton  costatiis.  C.  t.  albido  atroque  maculata  ;  areis  later- 
alibus  elevatis,  costulis  3  vel  4  papillosis  instructis,  posterius  sub- 
spinosis ;  areis  dorsi  mediis  loevibus,  transversim  striatis ;  inter 
areas  declivitas  est,  profunde  striata ;  margine  squamoso,  alter- 
natim  flavido-albo  atroque.     Long.  1.35  poll. ;  lat.  .75  poll. 

Chiton  squamulostjs.  C.  t.  olivacea,  linea  pallide  virente 
dorsali — ornata  ;  areis  lateral ibus  squamosis  inequalibus  prostra- 
tis — obtectis ;  areis  dorsi  mediis  sublaevibus,  puncto-striatis ; 
margine  exile  squamuloso,  alternatim  cinereo-virescente  viridi- 
que.     Long.  .7  poll.  ;  lat.  .4  poll. 

Chiton  multicostatus.  C.  t.  prcelonga,  intus  rubella,  extus 
pallide  virente,  punctis  albis  et  atro-virentibus,  lineaque  dorsali 
pallida  ornata ;  areis  lateralibus  perelevatis,  costatis,  costis  6  ad 
8  nodosis ;  areis  dorsi  costulis  20  gracilibus,  compressis, — in- 
structis ;  margine  squamoso,  alternatim  virente  alboquc.  Long. 
.9  poll. ;  lat.  42  poll. 


Chiton  purpurascens.  C.  t.  prcelonga,  purpureo-rubente, 
concentrice  striata  ;  margine  lato,  exilissime  squamuloso,  caeru- 
lescente,  alternatim  pallidiore.     Long.  1.1  poll.  ;  lat.  5  poll. 

Chiton  papillosus.  C.  t.  minima,  lata,  virente,albido  atroque 
crebre  maculata,  papillosa ;  areis  a  costula  gracili  discretis ; 
margine  exilissime  squamuloso,  alternatim  virente  albidoque. 
Long.  .21  poll. ;  lat.  .13  poll. 

Chiton  erythronotus.  C.  t.  parva,  subelongata,  flavido- 
alba,  irregulariler  rubro-maculata ;  areis  lateralibus  costatis, 
costis  nodulosis,  areis  dorsi  striatis  ;  margine  squamuloso.  Long. 
.55  poll. ;  lat.  .3  poll. 

Perna  bicolor.  p.  t.  convexa,  intijs  argentea,  extra  pallii 
impressionem  aterrima,  splendente  ;  impressione  muscular!  bilo- 
bata,  parte  altera  majori  suborbiculari,  altera  cuspidata  ;  liga- 
mentis  7,  robustis.  Long.  7  poll. ;  alt.  1  poll. ;  lat.  .33  poll. 

Arca  tenera.  a.  t.  albida,  subtenui,  elliptica,  decussata, 
media  compressa  ;  umbonibus  planulatis,  approximatis ;  costulis 
radiantibus  crenulatis  ;  striis  concentricis  pilearibus ;  dentibus 
paucis;  hiatu  minimo.     Long.  .8  poll.;  alt.  .5  poll. ;  lat.  .4  poll. 

Cardita  ovata.  C.  t.  ovata,  lamellis  decumbentibus  inequali- 
bus  et  striis  radiantibus  profundis  lamellas  persecantibus — ornata  ; 
lamellis  posterioribus  baud  insectis,  striatis ;  margine  vix  crenu- 
lato. 

Genus  Thetis. 

G.  t.  Astarte  affini,  sed  dente  laterali  remota  anteriore 
in  utraque  valva — instructa  ;  pallii  impressione  vix  vel  baud 
sinuata. 

Thetis  cerina.  T.  t.  parva,  lineis  elevatis  concentricis  dis- 
lantibus  et  striis  radiantibus  ornata,  cerina ;  lunula  vulvaque 
transversim  rubro  lineatis  ;  umbonibus  minimis,  acutis,  pallide 
virentibus  ;  margine  supra  angulato,  alibi  rotundato  ;  pallii  im 
pressione  subsinuata.  Long.  .42  poll. ;  alt.  .39  poll.  ;  lat. 
.21  poll. 

Thetis  parva.  T.  t.  minima,  albida,  lamellis  elevatis  ro 
bustis  concentricis  ornata ;  umbonibus  parvis,  acutis  ;  margine 
supra  angulato,  alibi  rotundato ;  pallii  impressione  simplici. 
Long.  .16  poll. ;  alt.  .14  poll.  ;  lat.  .09  poll. 

LuciNA  GRANULOSA.  L.  t.  parva,  globulosa,  alba,  nodulis 
subquincuncialibus  plerumque  ornata  ;  dentibus  lateralibus  obso- 

PEOCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H.  2  JAN.    1843. 


10 

letis,  cardinalibus  robustis.  Long.  .34  poll. ;  alt.  .31  poll. ;  lat 
.35  poll. 

LuciNA  IMBRICATULA.  L.  pectini  affinis,  sed  t.  breviore,  eras- 
siore,  orbiculari,  subequilaterali,  costulis  valde  imbricatis  ornata. 
Long.  .9  poll. ;  alt.  .85  poll. ;  lat.  .5  poll. 

LuciNA  PULCHELLA.  L.  t.  parva,  subcordata,  rubella,  albo- 
marginata,  striis  obliquis  parallelis,  posterioribus  undatis,  ante- 
rioribus  divaricatis — ornata  ;  dentibus  lateralibus  robustis.  Long. 
.28  poll. ;  alt.  .28  poll.  ;  lat.  .18  poll. 

Amphidesma  jayanum.  a.  t.  orbiculari,  flexuosa,  baud  hiante, 
lamellis  concentricis  crebris,  interdum  obsoletis,  striisque  radian- 
tibus  exilissimis  ornata ;  (juniorum  intus  rubro-maculata ;  senio- 
rum  albidis  vol  flavis ;)  interdum  rubro-radiata ;  dentibus  2, 
magnis,  divaricatis,  subremotis.  Long.  1.41  poll. ;  alt.  1.36 
poll. ;  lat.  .7  poll. 

Tellina  decussatula.  T.  t.  rosacea,  supra  albida,  iridescente, 
exilissime  decussata  ;  dente  sinistra  posteriore  obsoleta.  Long. 
1  poll.  alt.  .65  poll. ;  lat.  .29  poll. 

Tellina  nitens.  T.  t.  nitida,  rosacea,  zonis  pallidis  ornata  ; 
parte  posteriore  elevata,  infra  angulata ;  dentibus  lateralibus 
anterioribus  obsoletis.     Lon.  .75  poll. ;  alt.  .4  poll. ;  lat.  .17  poll. 

PsAMMOBiA  purpureo-maculata.  P.  t.  brevi,  posterius  trun- 
cata,  albida,  maculis  paucis  purpureis  coerulescentibus,  interdum 
obsoletis,  ornata  ;  ligamento  brevi,  crasso. 

PsAMMOBiA  AFFINIS.  PrBBcedenti  affinis,  sed  t.  fusca,  atro- 
purpureo  biradiata,  exilissime  decussata.  Long.  .66  poll. ;  alt. 
,51  poll. ;  lat.  .25  poll. 

PsAMMOBiA  BIRADIATA.  PrsBcedenti  affinis,  sed  t.  anterius 
longiore,  candidissima,  radiis  2  sanguineis  latis,  brevibus,  ornata. 
Long.  .49  poll.  ;  alt.  .38  poll. ;  lat.  .18  poll. 

PsAMMOBiA  CERiNA.  P.  t.  parva,  carina,  tenui,  anterius  pro- 
cera  et  circulari,  posterius  angulata  (angulo  baud  multum  trun- 
cato,)  concentric  exilissime  striata ;  dentibus  parvis,  prominen- 
tibus.     Long.  .39  poll. ;  alt.  .31  poll. ;  lat.  .17  poll. 


11 

PARS  II. 

Species  terrestres. 

Cyclostoma  duffianum.  C.  t.  magna,  discoidea,  rubella 
albaque ;  anf.  4:2,  cylindraceis  ;  umbilico  lato,  profundo ;  mar- 
gine  simplici.  Div.  150° ;  lat.  max.  1.9  poll. ;  lat.  min.  1.45 
poll. ;  alt.  .87  poll.  Gulielmo  Duff,  armig.,  conchyliorum  Jamai- 
censium  doctissimo,  ha3c  species  dedicatur. 

Cyclostoma  hillianum.  C.  t.  sub-depressa,  Candida,  fasciis 
angustis  fuscis  interruptis  ornata,  decollata,  anf.  reliquis  5,  vix- 
connexis,  aculeis  elongatis  decussatim  seriatis — elegantissime 
insculptis ;  apertura  ab  anf.  penultimo  remota  ;  labro  latissime 
planulato,  plicato ;  umbilico  lato,  profundo ;  operculo  albo, 
lamella  spirali  procera  ornato.  Div.  110°  ;  alt.  .32  poll.  ;  lat. 
max.  .47  pol. ;  lat.  min.  .37  poll.  ;  Ricardo  Hill,  armig.,  rerum 
naturalium  Jamaicensium  doctissimo,  hsec  species  dedicatur. 

Cyclostoma  lima.  C.  UncincB  affine,  t.  perexiliiis  decussate, 
aculeis  brevioribus,  subtus  costulis  revolventibus  majoribus  in- 
structa  ;  labro  nunquam  crenulato.  Div.  56° ;  alt.  .9  poll.  ;  lat. 
max.  .7  poll.  ;  lat.  min.  .45  poll. 

Cyclostoma  bronnii.  C.  t.  fusca,  interdum  subalbida,  decol- 
lata ;  anf.  2^  perditis  ;  anf.  reliquis  4,  supra  exile  crenulatis, 
striis  longitudinalibus  exilissimis  parallelis  creberrimis— eleganter 
insculptis ;  labro  crassiusculo,  supra  in  triangulum  parvum  con- 
cavum  producto ;  operculo  albo,  sub-duplici.  Div.  58°  ;  alt.  .67 
poll. ;  lat.  max.  .5  poll. ;  lat.  min.  .35  poll. 

Cyclostoma  fusco-lineatum.  C.  t.  prsecedenti  affini,  fasciis 
angustis  fuscis  interruptis  ornata,  sutura  baud  multum  crenulata, 
labro  minore.  Forsan  var.  ?  alt.  .55  poll. ;  lat.  max.  .4  poll. ;  lat. 
min.  .3  poll. 

Cyclostoma  pulchrius.  C.  t.  fascia  lata,  rubro-fusca,  or- 
nata, decollata;  anf.  2^  perditis;  anf.  reliquis  4,  exilissime 
regulariter  et  elegantissime  decussatis ;  labro  crasso,  rotundato, 
albo ;  umbilico  perangusto.  profundo  ;  operculo  tenui.  Div.  48°  ; 
alt.  .56  poll. ;  lat.  max.  .38  poll. ;  lat.  min.  .3  poll. 

Helicina  leana.  H.  t.  perdepressa,  pallide  rufa,  vel  albida ; 
epidermide  exilissime  hirsuta ;  anf.  4J-,  baud  multum  convexis, 
striis  decurrentibus  exilissimis — ornatis ;  anf.  ultimo  baud  angu- 
lato;  apertura  a   labri  dentibus  duobus  obtusis   supra   et  infra 


12 


contracta;  operculo  tenui.  Div.  135°;  alt.  .13  poll.;  lat.  max. 
.27  poll. ;  lat.  min.  .22  poll. 

Helicina  lineata.  H.  t.  depressa ;  anf.  4^,  lineis  elevatis 
parallelis  distantibus  decurrentlbas — orriatis ;  anf.  ultimo  a  linea 
major!  subangulato  ;  apertura  H.  hance  simili.  Div.  112°  ;  alt. 
.09  poll. ;  lat.  max.  .15  poll. ;  lat.  min.  .13  poll. 

Helicina  solitaria.  H.  t.  depressa,  rubra,  fuscescente  ;  anf. 
4|-,  leevibus  ;  ultimo  nunquam  angulato  ;  apertura  semicirculari ; 
labio  infra  emarginato ;  columella  acuta  ;  labro  subtenui,  extra 
flavo  ;  operculo  tenui.  Div.  115°;  alt.  .22  poll.;  lat.  max.  .35 
poll.  ;  lat.  min.  .31  poll. 

Truncatella  succinea.  T.  t.  magna,  succinea-rubente,  de- 
coUata  ;  anf.  5  vel  5|-  perditis ,  anf.  reliquis  3^  vel  4,  costis 
crebris  (ultimi  obsoletis) — ornatis ;  apertura  albida  ;  operculo 
convexo,  calcareo,  corneo-marginato.  Div.  22°  ;  spirse  long, 
post  decoll.  .2  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .31  poll.  ;  lat.  .13  poll. 

Truncatella  cumingii.  T.  t.  parva,  succinea,  rubente,  scala- 
riformi,  decollata;  anf.  4.  perditis;  anf.  reliquis  4,  singulatim 
costis  9  robustis  acutis — ornatis ;  operculo  subcorneo.  Div.  22^* 
ad  18°  ;  spirse  long,  post  decoll.  .12  poll,  antea  .18  poll. ;  long, 
tot.  .17  poll.;  lat.  .08  poll. 

Truncatella  scalariformis.  T.  t.  solida,  elongata,  decollata  ; 
anf.  4  vel  5  reliquis,  singulatim  costis  10  robustis  et  slriis  decur- 
rentibus  exilissimis — ornatis.  Div.  20°;  long,  post  decoll.  .16 
poll.  ;  lat.  .08.  poll. 

Pedipes  globulosus.  p.  quadridens?  Pfr.  P.  t.  globulosa, 
crassa,castanea  ;  lineis  elevatis,  inequalibus,  inequidistantibus,  de- 
currentibus,ornata  ;  labro  acuto,inlLis  incrassato,  supra  unidentato  ; 
labio  supra  dente  maxima,  lamelliformi,  transversa,  ornato  ;  colu- 
mella bidentata  ;  dentibus  et  columella  albis.  Div.  90°  ;  spirse 
long.  .08  poll.;  long.  tot.  .19  poll. ;  lat.  .14  poll. 

Succinea  contorta.  S.  t.  cornea  ;  spira  minima  ;  anf.  2^, 
perconvexis,  perobliquis ;  apertura  maxima,  obliqua,  elliptica. 
Div.  80°  ;  spirce  long.  .08  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .23  poll. ;  lat.  max.  .21 
poll.  ;  lat.  min.  .1  poll. 

BuLiMUS  octonoides.  B.  t.  parva,  albida,  elongata  ;  anf.  7, 
perconvexis  ;  labro  tenui  ;  columella  recta  ;  B.  ociono  simili, 
speciei  quam  Gen.  Achatina  habeat.  Div.  22°  ;  spiric  long.  .22 
poll.;  long.  tot.  .31  poll.;  lat.  .1  poll. 

BuLiMUS  PALLiDus.     B.  t.  parva,  tenui,  diaphana,  cornea,  elon- 


13 


gata  ;  anf.  5,  convexis ;  labro  tenui ;  columella  recta.  Div. 
35°  ;  spira3  long.  .16  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .27  poll. ;  lat.  .13  poll. 

BuLiMUs  PROCERUS.  B.  t.  parva,  nitida,  tenui,  diaphana, 
flavido-fusca,  perelongaia  ;  anf.  8  ad  10,  baud  multum  convexis  ; 
labro  tenui ;  columella  torta.  Div.  18°  ad  14° ;  spirse  long.  .5 
poll. ;  long.  tot.  .63  poll.  ;  lat.  .14  poll. 

BuLiMUS  L^viuscuLUS.  B.  t.  minima,  tenui,  nitida,  diapbana, 
ovaia,  elongata  ;  anf.  6,  baud  multum  convexis  ;  striis  paucis, 
disiantibus,  exilissimis,  longitudinalibus — ornatis  ;  apertura  elon- 
gata, supra  angusta,  acutaque  ;  labro  tenui,  infra  retracto  ;  colu- 
mella torta.  Div.  18°  ;  spirse  long.  .16  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .25  poll. ; 
lat.  .075  poll. 

Bdlimus  striatella.  B.  t.  parva,  tenui,  nitida,  diapbana, 
elongata  ;  anf  7,  convexis,  striis  robustis,  parallelis — ornatis  ; 
apertura  lata  ;  labro  tenui ;  columella  baud  multum  torta.  Div. 
30° ;  spirj3e  long.  .15  poll.;  long.  tot.  .2  poll.  ;  lat.  .07  poll. 

AcHATiNA  IOTA.  A.  t.  minima,  gracili,  cornea  ;  anf  4,  latis- 
simis,  Isevibus  ;  apertura  elongata,  supra  acutissima  ;  columella 
arcuata.  Div.  12°;  spirse  long.  .08  poll.;  long  tot.  .135  poll; 
lat.  .045  poll. 

AcHATiNA  PELLUCENS.  A.  t.  parva,  nitida,  gracili,  cornea, 
striis  exilissimis  longitudinalibus,  supra  crebris,  infra  distantibus 
— ornata;  anf.  7;  labro  tenui,  infra  retracto;  columella  arcu- 
ata. Div.  14°  ;  spirse  long.  .19  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .27  poll.  ;  lat. 
.07  poll. 

AcHATiNA  cosTTJLATA.  A.  t.  parvsL,  conica,  tenui,  diapbana, 
fuscescente,  atro-fusco  bifasciata  ;  sutura  profunda  ;  anf  8,  supra 
subangulatis,  costulis  gracillimis  crebris — instructis  ;  labro  tenui, 
infra  retracto  ;  columella  baud  multum  arcuata.  Div.  20°  ;  spirse 
long.  .23  poll.  ;  long.  tot.  .335  poll.  ;  lat.  .1  poll. 

AcHATiNA  PHiLLiPsii.  A.  t.  tonui,  diapbana,  elongata,  subfusi- 
formi,  pallide  fuscescente,  lineis  atro-fuscis  paucis  distantibus 
longitudinalibus — ornata  ;  anf  7,  supra  a  linea  infra-suturali  im- 
pressis,  striatis,  striis  distantibus ;  labro  tenui,  infra  retracto  ; 
columella  baud  multiim  arcuata.  Div.  20°  ;  spirse  long.  .5  poll.  ; 
long.  tot.  .73  poll.  ;  lat.  .13  poll. 

AcHATiNA  PROPiNQUA.  Prsccedenti  affinis,  forsan  var.  ;  sed  t. 
lineis  longitudinalibus  crebris  instructa,  sine  linea  infra-suturali  ; 
anf.  6  ;  columella  recta.  Div.  18° ;  spirse  long.  .32  poll.  ;  long, 
tot.  .48  poll.  ;  lat.  .13  poll. 


14 


AcHATiNA  viciNA.  Forsan  A,  Phillipsii  var. ;  sed  t.  striis 
longitudinalibus  crebris — instructa,  nunquam  fusco-fasciata  ; 
linea  infra-suturali  a  sutura  plus  remota,  spira  breviore.  Div. 
22°  ;  spirse  long.  .3  poll, ;  long.  tot.  .54  poll. ;  lat.  .175  poll. 

AcHATiNA  GRiFFiTHSii.  A.  t.  tenui,  diaphana,  pallide  fusces- 
cente,  lineis  atro-fuscis  longitudinalibus  paucis  distantibus — or- 
nata  ;  anf.  7J  a  linea  infra-suturali  impressis,  costulatis,  costulis 
creberrimis  baud  multum  elevatis  et  rotundatis ;  apertura  elongata, 
supra  acuta,  infra  subcanaliculata ;  labro  tenui,  medio  angulato, 
infra  valde  retracto  ;  columella  valde  contorta.  Div.  28°  ;  spirse 
long.  .46  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .81  poll. ;  lat.  .275  poll. 

Cylindrella  (?)  PYGM^A.  C.  t.  minima,  conica,  gracillima, 
regulariter  striata,  striis  latis  ;  anf.  7,  convexis  ;  apertura  ob- 
liqua  ;  labro  baud  late  reflexo.  Div.  10° ;  spiras  long.  .195  poll. ; 
long.  tot.  .35  poll. ;  lat.  .04  poll. 

Cylindrella  cumingii.  C.  t.  magna,  Candida,  subfusiformi, 
longissima,  heterostropba,  costulis  minimis  obliquis  regularibus 
rotundatis  creberrimis — ornata,  late  decollata  ;  anf.  10  vel  11 
perditis,  superis  perconvexis  ;  anf.  reliquis  8  vel  9  ;  apertura  el- 
liptica,  in  faucibus  valde  contracta,  in  labrum  latissimum  acutum 
expansa  ;  anf.  ultimo  carina  semi-revolvente  aperturam  subeffusam 
faciente — instructo.  Div.  supra  10° ;  long.  tot.  1.4  poll. ;  post 
decoU.  long.  1.15  poll. ;  lat.  .19  poll. 

Cylindrella  cylindrus.  C.  t.  rubra,  cylindracea,  praecedenti 
similiter  sed  exilius  insculpta,  late  decollata  ;  anf.  reliquis  12, 
baud  multum  convexis  ;  apertura  subovata,  in  labrum  subtenue 
expansa ;  anf.  ultimo  acute  carinato.  Long,  post  decoU.  .82 
poll.  ;  lat.  .15  poll. 

Cylindrella  seminuda.  C.  t.  parva,  albida,  subfusiformi, 
late  decollata  ;  anf.  10  vel  11  perditis  ;  anf.  reliquis  9  supra  sub- 
angulatis,  mediis  planulatis,  costatis,  costis  pluribus  prominenti- 
bus  ;  anf.  superis  mediis  obsolete  costatis  ;  anf.  ultimo  bicarinato  ; 
apertura  ab  anf.  penultimo  late  disjuncta ;  labro  expanso,  tenui. 
Long,  post  decoll.  .33  poll. ;  lat.  .09  poll. 

Pupa  fusiformis.  P.  t.  fusiformi,  nitida,  exilissime  striata, 
opaca,  cinerea,  decollata ;  anf.  5  vel  6  perditis,  planulatis ; 
anf.  8  reliquis,  baud  multum  convexis,  albo-fasciatis,  fascia 
infra-suturali ;  labro  solido,  albo,  rotundato,  sinuoso,  supra  baud 
continuo ;  umbilico  angusto.  Long,  post  decoll.  .8  poll.  ;  lat. 
.27  poll. 


15 


PiTPA  NOBiLioR.  P.  t.  magna,  crassa,  opaca,  straminea,  striis 
obliquis  creberrimis  parallelis  eleganter  insculpta,  infra  cylindra- 
cea,  supra  tereti ;  spira  longissima,  decollata  ;  anf.  perditis  15  ! 
anf.  reliquis  10  ;  labro  lato,  crasso,  continuo,  albo,  anf.  penultimo 
appresso.  Long,  partis  amissse  .6  poll.  ;  long,  post  decoll.  1.18 
poll.  ;  tot.  1.78  poll. ;  lat.  .37  poll.     Species  nobilis,  notabilis  ! 

Pupa  obesa.  P.  t.  tenui,  diaphana,  pallide  fuscescente,  sub- 
fusiformi,  striis  obliquis  costiformibus  ornata,  supra  concave  et 
breviter  tereti,  decollata  ;  anf.  6  vel  7  perditis  ;  anf.  7  vel  8 
reliquis  ;  labro  tenui,  albo,  reflexo,  continuo,  ab  anf.  penultimo 
disjuncto.  Long,  partis  amissse  .13  poll.  ;  long,  post  decoll.  .57 
poll. ;  lat.  .235  poll. — Var.  densestriata,  t.  majore,  striis  exilis- 
simis  creberrimis  ornata. 

Pupa  rubella.  P.  cylindro,  Desh.  affinis  ;  sed  t.  minore,  ar- 
denter  rubra  ;  spira  supra  graciliore  ;  anf.  14  perditis,  8  reliquis ; 
labro  tenui,  ab  anf.  penultimo  disjuncto.  Long,  partis  amissse  .43 
poll.  ;  long,  post  decoll.  .7  poll.  ;  lat.  .3  poll. 

Pupa  tenuidens.  P,  ovatcB^  Say,  affinis,  et  magnitudinis  ejus- 
dem  ;  apertura  supra  dente  magna  lamelliformi  intus  producta, 
infra  altera  simili,  minore,  opposita  ;  duobus  alteris,  una  utrinque, 
oppositis. 

Helix  pekacutissima,  H.  t.  magna,  imperforata,  lenticulari, 
subtenui,  fusca,  exile  sagrinata  ;  anf.  5  ;  inferis  supra  concavis  ; 
ultimo  medio  in  angulum  acutissimum  lamelliformem  expanso, 
subtus  convex©  ;  apertura  perdepressa,  infra  H.  sinuatcB  MiJll. 
similiter  4-dentata  ;  labro  medio  acute  angulato.  Div.  140°  ;  alt. 
.6  poll.  ;  lat.  max.  1.6  poll. ;  lat.  min.  1.43  poll. 

Helix  nemoraloides.  H.  nemorali  affinis ;  sed  t.  subtijs 
valde  planulata  ;  apice  plus  elevata  ;  anf.  5  ;  anf.  ultimo  fasciis 
tribus  fuscis  semper  ornato ;  superis  bifasciatis.  Magnit.  sicut  in 
H.  nemorali. 

Helix  subconica.  H.  t.  tenui,  late  subconica,  imperforata, 
flavido-fusca,  atro-fusco  varie  lineata  ;  anf.  5,  baud  multum  con- 
vexis,  exile  striatis  ;  anf.  ultimo  subangulato,  subtus  convexo  ; 
apertura  subrectangulari,  curviter  depressa  ;  labro  tenuissimo  ; 
columella  recta,  acuta.  Div.  100° ;  alt.  .43  poll. ;  lai.  max.  .67 
poll. ;  lat.  min.  .57  poll. 

Helix  subpyramidalis.  H.  t.  tenui,  late  subconica,  diaphana, 
pallide  cornea  ;  apice  subacuta  ;  sutura  profunda ;  anf.  6,  planu- 
latis,  superis  infra  obtuse  angulatis,  ultimo  medio  angulato,  subtus 


16 

convex©  ;  labro  tenuissimo  ;  umbilico  angusto,  profundo.  Div. 
90°  ;  alt.  .2  poll.  ;  lat.  max.  .27  poll.  ;  lat.  min.  .24  poll. 

Helix  depressa.  Prsecedenti  affinis ;  sed  t.  perdepressa ; 
apice  obtusa  ;  umbilico  latiore.  Div.  155°;  alt.  .1  poll.;  lat. 
max.  .25  poll. ;  lat.  min.  .22  poll. 

Helix  sincera.  H.  t.  parva,  depressa,  diaphana,  pallide  cor- 
nea, costulis  crebris  ornata  ;  anf.  4J-,  perconvexis  ;  anf,  ultimo 
rotundato  ;  apertura  sub-orbiculari,  ab  anf.  penultimo  valde  in- 
vasa  ;  labro  tenui ;  umbilico  lato.  Div.  160°  ;  alt.  .075  poll. ; 
lat.  max.  .15  poll.  ;  lat.  min.  .13  poll. 

Helix  opalina.  H,  t.  parva,  perdepressa,  supra  convexa, 
diaphana,  nitida,  pallide  cornea,  exilissime  striata,  infra  indentata, 
baud  umbilicata  ;  anf  5,  supra  a  linea  subsuturali  impressis  ; 
apertura  infra  carina  Candida  intus  decurrente  calloque  umbilicari 
Candida — instructa  ;  labro  tenui.  Div.  145°;  alt.  .135  poll. ;  lat. 
max.  .3  poll.  ;  lat.  min.  .26  poll. 

Helix  pellucida.  H.  t.  parva,  pallide  cornea,  diaphana,  exi- 
lissime et  creberrime  striata  ;  spira  late  conica  ;  anf.  6,  percon- 
vexis ;  ultimo  magno,  rotundato  ;  apertura  suborbiculari,  ab  anf. 
penultimo  valde  invasa ;  labro  tenuissimo  ;  umbilico  parvo.  Div. 
110° ;  alt.  .2  poll. ;  lat.  max.  .28  poll. ;  lat.  min.  .25  poll. 

Helix  peraffinis.  Prsecedentis  var.  ?  sed  t.  spira  depressa, 
convexa  ;  umbilico  multo  latiore.  Div.  140°  ;  alt.  .17  poll. ;  lat. 
max.  .3  poll.  ;  lat.  min.  .25  poll. 

Helix  arboreoides.  H.  t.  discoidea,  tenui,  nitida,  diaphana, 
pallide  cornea,  exilissime  striata ;  anf  7,  angustis,  a  linea  sub- 
suturali impressis  ;  ultimo  rotundato,  subtus  late  et  profunde  in- 
dentato  ;  apertura  sub-ovata,  ab  anf  penultimo  valde  invasa  ; 
labro  tenuissimo.  Div.  140° ;  alt.  .3  poll. ;  lat.  max.  .59  poll. ; 
lat.  min.  .51  poll. 

Helix  tenerrima.  H.  t.  tenuissima,  subglobosa,  diaphana, 
fusca,  pallide  virente,  imperforata ;  anf.  5,  convexis ;  ultimo 
maximo,  inflate,  subtus  convexo  ;  apertura  magna,  suborbiculari ; 
labro  tenuissimo;  columella  infra  expansa.  Div.  115°;  alt.  .5 
poll. ;  lat.  max.  .72  poll.  ;  lat.  min.  .56  poll. 

Helix  dioscoricola.  H.  t.  minima,  tenui,  subglobosa,  imper- 
forata, anf  3,  perconvexis ;  ultimo  rotundato,  subtus  anguste  in- 
dentato  ;  labro  tenui.  Div.  70°  ;  alt.  .05  poll. ;  lat.  max.  .06 
poll.  ;  lat.  min.  .05  poll. 


17 


Helix  jayana.     H.  epistylium^  Mull.,  affinis  ; 

H.  jayana  ;  H.  epistylium  ; 

dente  una  lamelliformi  longis-  dentibus  tribus,  obliquis,  tortis, 

sima  ;  brevibus  ; 

t.    laiiore,   subtus   latissime    et  t.    angustiore,    subtus    percon- 

profunde  indentata  ;  vexa,  anguste  indentata  ; 

anf.  94.  anf.  9. 

Alt.  .9    poll.;    lat.    max.    1.18  Alt.  .1  poll.  ;  lat.  max.  .1  poll.  ; 

poll.  ;  lat.  min.  1.1  poll.  lat.  min.  .9  poll. 


PARS   III. 

Species  fluviatiles. 

PALUDiNA  RivuLARis.  P.  t.  minima,  Isevi,  cornea,  elongata ; 
spira  conica,  acuta  ;  anf.  6 ;  apertura  ovata.  Div.  30°  ;  spirae 
long.  .07  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .11  poll. ;  lat.  .05  poll. 

Melania  spinifera.  M.  t.  minima,  cornea ;  anf.  6,  angulatis, 
angulo  spinifero  ;  ultimo  subtus  striis  exilissimis  revolventibus 
insculpto  ;  apertura  supra  et  infra  angulata.  Div.  45°  ;  spirse 
long.  .09  poll. ;  long.  tot.  .17  poll. ;  lat.  .1  poll. 

Planorbis  dentiferus.  p.  dentato,  Gould,  affinis  ;  t.  anf.  4, 
ultimo  quam  penultimo,  baud  multo  latiore  ;  sed  P.  dentatus  ulti- 
mum  maximum  habet,  (v.  fig.  Gouldianam) ;  dentium  labialium 
dextra  bifida,  magna  ;  dentibus  sicut  in  specie  Gouldiana  dis- 
positis. 

Mr.  Phineas  W.  Blunt  was  elected  a  member  of  the  So- 
ciety. 

Donations   to  the  Cabinet. 

Phials  containing  specimens  of  sugar,  and  molasses  or  syrup 
made  from  the  cornstalk,  from  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  received  by 
him  from  Mr.  Ellsworth,  Commissioner  of  Patents,  Washington. 

A  collection  of  marine  and  terrestrial  shells,  from  Jamaica. 
From  Prof.  C.  B.  Adams. 

A  large  slab,  containing  beautiful  specimens  of  Fucoides.  From 
Prof.  Henry  D.  Rogers. 

proceedings    B.  S.  N.  H.  3  JAN.    1845. 


18 


Additions  to  the  Library. 

A  Report  on  American  Coals,  and  their  comparative  power 
and  efficiency  in  generating  Steam,  and  for  other  purposes.  By 
Prof.  Walter  R.  Johnson.  8vo.  Washington.  From  Hon.  R.  C. 
Winthrop. 

A  Final  Report  on  the  Geology  of  New  Hampshire.  By  Dr. 
C.  T.  Jackson.     4to.  1844.     From  the  Author. 

A  Public  Discourse,  in  Commemoration  of  Peter  S.  Du 
Ponceau,  LL.  D.,  late  President  of  the  American  Philosophical 
Society,  &c.  &c.  By  Robley  DungUson,  M.  D.  Philadelphia, 
1844.     From  the  Society. 

Memoirs  of  William  Maclure.  By  Samuel  G.  Morton,  M.  D., 
&c.     Philadelphia,  1844.     From  the  Author. 

List  of  Specimens  of  Myriapoda  in  the  British  Museum. 
18mo.    London,  1844.     From  the  British  Museum. 

List  of  Specimens  of  Birds  in  the  same.  Part  I.  18mo. 
London,  1844.     From  the  same. 

Catalogue  of  Tortoises,  Crocodiles,  and  Amphisbseneans  in 
same.     18mo.     London,  1844.     From  the  same. 


January  15,  1845. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


The  President  communicated  a  paper  from  Dr.  J.  W. 
Mighels,  of  Portland,  Maine,  a  Corresponding  Member,  enti- 
tled "  Descriptions  of  Shells  from  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and 
other  localities."  In  this  paper  the  author  characterizes  the 
following  species,  which  he  supposes  to  be  hitherto  unde- 
scribed. 

Helix  intercarinata.  Shell  depressed,  subdiscoid,  brown, 
mottled  with  a  darker  color  ;  umbilicus  deep  ;  whorls  five,  con- 
vex, with  fine,  raised  incremental  striae  ;  aperture  semilunate, 
with  two  thin,  elevated,  keel-like  lamina3,  placed  longitudinally 


19 


upon  the  intruded  body  whorl,  and  extending  into  the  depth  of 
the  shell, — and  five  equidistant  teeth  within  the  external  lip,  which 
is  simple  and  thin.     Diameter,  -^-^  inch.     Hob.  Oahu. 

Helix  subrutila.  Shell  orbicular,  depressed,  pellucid,  smooth, 
shining,  yellowish,  imperforate,  subcarinate  ;  whorls  five,  slightly 
convex  ;  aperture  semilunate,  slightly  gibbous,  lip  simple,  thin. 
Diameter,  -^^  to  y%-  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Helix  tiara.  Shell  low  turbinate,  yellowish,  with  dark  brown 
zig-zag  lines  crossing  the  whorls,  when  young  and  fresh  ;  umbi- 
licus wide  and  deep  ;  incremental  striae  rather  coarse  ;  whorls  five 
to  six,  convex ;  aperture  circular,  modified  by  the  last  whorl ;  lip 
simple,  acute.     Diameter,  about  ^  inch.     Hah.  Kauai. 

Helix  jugosa.  Shell  depressed,  subdiscoidal,  reddish  brown  ; 
umbilicus  broad  and  deep  ;  whorls  five,  convex,  with  numerous, 
raised,  incremental  lines  ;  aperture  circular,  modified  by  the  last 
whorl,  with  a  thin,  elevated  lamina,  extending  into  the  depth  of 
the  shell ;  lip  simple,  thin.     Diameter,  /^  inch.     Hah.  Waioli. 

Helicina  laciniosa.  Shell  orbicular,  convex,  reddish  brown, 
interspersed  with  irregular  light  spots  ;  whorls  five,  more  or  less 
flattened,  with  two  or  three  raised  lines,  revolving  over  the  mid- 
dle of  the  outer  whorl  ;  aperture  semilunar  ;  lip  simple,  acute. 
Diameter,  /g-  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Helicina  rotelloidea.  Shell  orbicular,  low  conical,  convex 
at  the  base,  sometimes  reddish  brown,  sometimes  greenish,  with 
obscure  light  spots,  surface  smooth  ;  whorls  about  3^,  convex ; 
aperture  semilunate  ;  lip  simple,  acute.  Diameter,  from  y^  to 
■^^  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Pupa  admodesta.  Shell  minute,  ovate,  greenish  brown ; 
whorls  3^,  convex  ;  incremental  strise  very  fine  ;  aperture  circu- 
lar, unarmed  ;  lip  simple,  thin,  slightly  inflected  ;  umbilicus  small. 
Length,  ^-^  inch,  diameter,  ^\j  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Bulimus  armatus.  Shell  sinistral,  rarely  dextral,  conical, 
brown,  or  yellowish,  sometimes  with  a  light,  revolving  band  be- 
low the  suture,  perforate  ;  whorls  five,  convex  ;  aperture  oblong- 
ovate,  with  a  thin,  flexuous,  lamellated  tooth  on  the  transverse 
lip,  and  a  small  tooth  or  fold  on  the  columellar  lip  ;  outer  lip 
thin,  slightly  reflected.  Length,  \  inch,  diameter,  \  inch.  Hah. 
Hawaii. 

BuLiMUS  PUMICATUS.  Shell  dextral,  conical,  polished,  glossy, 
light   horn  color,  imperforate  ;  whorls   seven,  slightly   convex  ; 


20 


aperture,  oval,  small,  with  a  delicate  fold  on  the  left  side  ;  lip 
simple,  acute.     Length,  i  inch,  diameter,  ^^^j  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

BuLiMUS  scuTiLUS.  Shell  dextral,  cylindrical,  turreted,  white, 
polished,  imperforate  ;  whorls  six,  convex  ;  aperture  elongate- 
oval  ;  lip  simple,  acute.  Length,  /g-  inch,  diameter,  -3^5-  inch. 
Hab.  Oahu. 

BuLiMus  CLAUsiNus.  Shell  dextral,  ovate-conic,  thick  and 
solid,  white,  smooth,  glossy,  sometimes  with  an  obscure,  narrow, 
yellowish  band,  revolving  with  the  suture  and  passing  over  the 
middle  of  the  body  whorl ;  whorls  five,  convex  ;  aperture  subo- 
vate  ;  lip  yellowish,  thickened,  coalescing  with  the  body  whorl 
and  forming  an  enamel  on  the  left  side  of  the  aperture.  Length, 
about  -^Q  inch,  diameter,  f  inch.     Hab.  Hawaii. 

Partula  virgulata.  Shell  ovate-conic,  light  fawn  color,  beau- 
tifully adorned  with  dark  brown  bands,  more  or  less  numerous, 
imperforate  ;  whorls  five,  convex  ;  incremental  striae  delicate  ; 
aperture  oblong;  lip  reflected,  slightly  inflected.  Length,  1  inch, 
diameter,  f  inch.     Hab.  Waianai. 

Achatina  accineta.  Shell  dextral,  conical,  horn  color, 
smooth,  polished,  imperforate  ;  whorls  six,  convex,  with  an 
impressed  revolving  line  just  below  the  suture  ;  aperture  semi- 
ovate  ;  lip  simple,  acute.  Length,  ^-^  inch,  diameter,  fg-  inch. 
Hab.  Oahu. 

Achatina  tdrricula.  Shell  cylindrical,  turreted,  sometimes 
dark,  sometimes  light  brown,  imperforate  ;  whorls  ten,  convex, 
more  or  less  distinctly  striate  transversely ;  incremental  strios 
coarse  ;  aperture  oblong  ;  lip  simple,  acute.  Length,  2|  inches, 
diameter,  f  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Achatinella  nubtlosa.  Shell  dextral,  ovate,  conic,  thin, 
variously  mottled  with  dark  brown  on  a  light  ground,  imper- 
forate ;  whorls  six,  convex  ;  aperture  semicircular  ;  lip  simple, 
acute.     Length,  -^^  inch,  diameter,  |  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Achatinella  vestita.  Shell  sinistral,  acuminate-conical, 
light  brown,  or  white,  with  beautiful,  narrow,  dark  brown  bands, 
more  or  less  numerous,  imperforate  ;  whorls  six,  convex ;  aper- 
ture semilunate  ;  lip  reflected.  Average  length,  1  inch,  di-ume- 
ter,  ^  inch.     Hab.  Waianai  and  Hawaii. 

Achatinella  viridans.  Shell  dextral,  elongate-conic,  green, 
with  light  streaks  intermixed,  imperforate  ;  whorls  five,  convex, 
with  a  revolving,  slightly  impressed  line  below  the  suture  ;  aper- 


21 


ture  subovate,  stained  with  a  pink  color  just  within  the  margin  ; 
lip  slightly  thickened.  Length,  |  inch,  diameter,  —  inch.  Hab. 
Oahu. 

AcHATiNELLA  MUSTELiNA.  Shell  dcxtral,  conical,  dark  brown, 
with  a  light  revolving  band  at  the  suture,  perforate  ;  whorls 
seven,  convex;  aperture  oblong;  lip  simple,  acute.  Length, 
1  inch,  diameter  ^%  inch.     Hab.  Waianai. 

AcHATiNELLA  ciNGULA.  Shell  dcxtral,  ovate-conic,  horn  color, 
smooth  and  polished,  with  a  narrow  brown  band  accompanying 
the  suture,  imperforate  ;  whorls  seven,  convex  ;  aperture  small, 
subovate  ;  lip  simple.  Length,  ^i-  inch,  diameter,  ^  inch. 
Hab.  Oahu. 

AcHATiNELLA  VENUSTA.  Shell  sinistral,  conical,  body  whorl 
large  and  tumid,  reddish  yellow,  beautifully  ornamented  with 
black  zig-zag  lines,  more  or  less  numerous  and  regular,  per- 
forate ;  whorls  six,  convex ;  aperture  subovate ;  lip  simple, 
acute.     Length,  f  inch,  diameter,  -^^  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

AcHATiNELLA  TiCTA.  Shell  sinistral,  short,  thick,  conical,  light 
yellow,  with  black  zig-zag  lines,  more  or  less  numerous,  per- 
forate ;  whorls  six,  convex  ;  aperture  campanulate  ;  lip  simple, 
acute.     Length,  /^  inch,  average  diameter,  f  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

AcHATiNELLA  INORNATA.  Shell  dcxtral,  elevated,  turreted, 
sometimes  straw-colorcd,  sometimes  dark  brown,  unadorned, 
perforate  ;  whorls  seven,  convex  ;  aperture  subovate  ;  lip  simple, 
acute.     Length,  f  inch,  diameter,  -^^  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

SucciNEA  PATULA.  Shell  ovatc,  pellucid,  fragile,  yellowish  ; 
last  whorl  very  large,  composing  almost  the  whole  shell,  there 
being  only  about  half  a  volution  above  it,  forming  a  minute 
knob ;  aperture  oval,  very  large  and  open ;  lip  very  thin. 
Length,  ^  inch,  breadth,  |-  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

SucciNEA  CADUCA.  Shell  sub-ovate,  very  thin  and  fragile, 
horn  color ;  whorls  about  two  and  a  half,  the  last  very  large  ; 
spire  rather  prominent;  aperture  elongated-oval;  lip  thin. 
Length,  ^^^j  inch,  breadth,  ^  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Physa  UMBiLicATA.  Shell  subovate,  gibbous,  reddish  brown; 
whorls  about  three  and  a  half;  aperture  campanulate,  oblique  ; 
columella  fold  prominent ;  outer  lip  rather  thick ;  umbilicated. 
Length,  -^^  inch,  breadth,  jjj  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Physa  producta.  Shell  elongate-oval,  thin,  fragile,  pellucid, 
horn  color,  imperforate  ;  whorls   four ;  suture    well  impressed  ; 


22 


aperture  pyrlform,  half  the  length  of  the  shell ;  columella  fold 
conspicuous  ;  lip  thin.  Length,  ^^^  inch,  breadth,  ^  inch.  Hab. 
Oahu. 

Paludina  porrecta.  Shell  elongated,  turreted,  thin,  smooth, 
greenish,  imperforate  ;  whorls  six,  very  convex ;  suture  deep ; 
aperture  ovate ;  lip  continuous.  Length,  ^^^  inch,  diameter  less 
than  i\  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Paludina  anthracina.  Shell  elongate-conic,  thin,  smooth, 
brown,  covered  with  a  black  pigment,  imperforate  ;  whorls  five, 
convex ;  aperture  subovate  ;  lip  continuous,  acute.  Length,  ^j 
inch,  diameter,  y^g-  inch.     Hab.  Tortola. 

Sigaretus  filicatus.  Shell  orbicular-ovate,  rather  thick, 
white,  umbilicated ;  whorls  about  two,  the  last  two  of  which 
composes  nearly  all  the  shell ;  external  surface  beautifully  sculp- 
tured, being  covered  with  triangular  ribs  placed  longitudinally, 
and  numerous  transverse  strise  ;  aperture  rounded  oval.  Length, 
I  inch,  breadth  nearly  equal  to  the  length.  Hab.  Zanzibar, 
eastern  Africa. 

Solarium  implexum.  Shell  depressed,  subdiscoid,  grayish 
white,  with  a  few  brown  spots  ;  whorls  three,  flattened,  with  five 
rounded,  revolving  ridges  on  each,  intersected  by  numerous,  im- 
pressed, transverse  striae  ;  aperture  circular  ;  umbilicus  large  and 
deep.     Diameter,  y\  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Solarium  cyclostomum.  Shell  orbicular,  convex,  ash  colored 
or  greenish  ;  whorls  four  to  five,  convex,  with  five,  revolving 
ridges,  intersected  by  impressed  transverse  striae  ;  suture,  deep  ; 
aperture  circular ;  umbilicus  deep  ;  operculum  horny,  spiral. 
Diameter,  f^j  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Turbo  rubricinctus.  Shell  minute,  orbicular-conical,  white, 
with  numerous,  impressed,  revolving  bands  of  a  superb  vermilion 
color,  imperforate  ;  whorls  four,  convex  ;  aperture  circular. 
Diameter,  ^V  ifich.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Cerithium  gracilentum.  Shell  turreted,  fusiform,  brown  and 
white,  spotted  or  banded,  whorls  ten  to  twelve,  flattened,  with 
four  unequal,  acute,  elevated  revolving  ridges  on  each  ;  aperture 
sinistral,  subovate  ;  canal  tubular,  deflected,  twisted.  Length  of 
the  largest,  -^^  inch,  diameter,  ^  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Cerithium  maculosum.  Shell  conical,  white,  with  zig-zag 
lines  and  spots,  polished  ;  whorls  six,  angular,  tuberculated,  trans- 
versely striated  ;  aperture  ovate,  ending  in  a  notch.  Length, 
about  ^  inch,  diameter,  -i  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 


23 


Cerithium  laciniosum.  Shell  conical,  rather  thick,  yellowish 
white,  with  a  few,  irregular,  brown  spots  ;  whorls  six,  flattened, 
depressed  in  the  middle,  longitudinally  plicate,  transversely  stri- 
ate ;  aperture  ovate  ;  canal  short,  slightly  deflected.  Length, 
4-  inch,  diameter,  -^  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  CRASSILABRU3I.  Shell  short,  thick,  solid,  white, 
covered  with  coarse,  tortuous  ribs,  and  fine,  crowded,  transverse, 
striae  ;  whorls  eight,  angular,  tuberculated  in  the  middle  ;  spire 
tapers  rapidly  above  the  penultimate  whorl,  and  ends  in  a  sharp 
tip  ;  aperture  narrow,  half  the  length  of  the  shell,  striated  inter- 
nally;  lip  thick  ;  fissure  distinct ;  canal  short.  Length,  y^  inch, 
diameter,  -^  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  rugosa.  Shell  thick,  solid,  covered  with  coarse 
ribs,  and  rather  coarse  transverse  striae  ;  whorls  seven,  convex  ; 
suture  accompanied  with  a  purple  line  on  a  straw-colored  ground  ; 
aperture  narrow,  striated  internally ;  lip  thick  ;  fissure  well 
marked  ;  canal  very  short.  Length,  ^\  inch,  diameter,  -f^  inch. 
Hah.  Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  acuminata.  Shell  small,  wax  colored,  with  tor» 
tuous  ribs  ;  whorls  seven,  slightly  convex  ;  spire  rapidly  tapering, 
ending  in  a  sharp  point ;  aperture  one  third  the  length  of  the 
shell,  smooth  internally  ;  lip  thin  ;  fissure  deep  ;  canal  veiy  short. 
Length,  ^^^  inch,  diameter,  y\  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  coronata.  Shell  thick,  solid,  white,  shining,  with 
strong  ribs,  ending  at  the  suture  in  projecting  points,  transverse 
striaj  microscopic  ;  whorls  four,  flattened,  angular  ;  aperture  half 
the  length  of  the  shell,  unarmed  ;  lip  thickened  ;  fissure  well 
marked  ;  canal  short.  Length,  -^-^  inch,  diameter,  ^\  inch.  Hab. 
Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  micans.  Shell  small,  white,  pellucid,  smooth 
and  glistening,  with  obscure  brown  spots  ;  whorls  six,  convex  ; 
aperture  half  the  length  of  the  shell ;  lip  acute  ;  fissure  super- 
ficial ;  canal  short.  Length,  y\  inch,  diameter,  -^\  inch.  Hab. 
Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  pumila.  Shell  small,  purple,  surface  granulated  ; 
whorls  four,  convex  ;  aperture  narrow,  one  third  the  length  of 
the  shell  ;  right  lip  thickened,  with  four  or  five  small  teeth  pro- 
jecting inwardly  ;  fissure  well  marked  ;  canal  very  short.  Length, 
-^jj  inch,  diameter,  ^^.j  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  sinuosa.     Shell  short,  thick,  tumid,  yellowish. 


24 


surface  granulated  ;  whorls  six,  rather  angular  ;  suture  deep  ; 
aperture  striated  internally ;  lip  thickened  ;  fissure  well  marked  ; 
canal  somewhat  elongated,  slightly  tortuous,  giving  the  shell  a 
slight  gibbous  appearance.  Length,  -^  inch,  diameter,  -fg-  inch. 
Hah.  Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  todilla.  Shell  small,  surface  granulated,  dull 
white,  with  microscopic,  brown  spots  ;  whorls  six,  convex ;  apex 
obtuse  ;  aperture  narrow,  less  than  half  the  length  of  the  shell, 
striated  internally  ;  lip  thickened  ;  fissure  superficial ;  canal  short. 
Length,  -f-^  inch,  diameter,  -^  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  circumsecta.  Shell  small, reddish  brown,  adorned 
with  rounded,  slightly  tortuous,  longitudinal  ribs  ;  whorls  five, 
tumid  in  the  middle  ;  suture  well  impressed,  with  a  contiguous 
impressed  line  ;  aperture  rather  wide,  unarmed,  one  third  the 
length  of  the  shell ;  lip  sharp  ;  fissure  well  marked.  Length, 
■^^  inch,  diameter,  -^-^  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Pleurotoma  obnubila.  Shell  small,  whitish,  with  elongated 
brown  spots,  surface  smooth,  with  a  ie'w  transverse  striaB  on  the 
extremity  of  the  last  whorl  ;  whorls  six,  flattened  ;  aperture  one 
third  the  length  of  the  shell ;  lip  slightly  thickened  ;  fissure  su- 
perficial ;  canal  short.  Length  ^^^^  inch,  diameter,  -^  inch. 
Hah.  Oahu. 

Triton  lacunatum.  Shell  small,  short,  thick,  yellowish  ash 
color,  with  coarse  longitudinal  and  transverse  raised  lines,  and 
varices  extending  on  both  sides  from  the  apex  to  the  base  ;  whorls 
seven,  convex  ;  suture  impressed  ;  aperture  oval,  stained  with 
purple,  with  purple  lines  extending  into  the  depth  of  the  shell, 
and  armed  with  a  series  of  teeth  just  within  the  margin  of  the 
right  lip  ;  canal  short,  narrow,  deflected.  Length,  f  inch,  long- 
est diameter,  -f ,  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Cypr.^a  semiplota.  Shell  ovate,  ventricose,  short,  thick, 
smooth,  light  brown,  with  numerous,  obscure  white  spots  ;  base 
tumid,  white  ;  aperture  yellowish,  narrow.  Length,  |  inch, 
breadth,  y\  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

Cypr^a  insecta.  Shell  elongate-oval,  subrostrate,  white,  stri- 
ated transversely,  striae  extending  into  the  aperture,  with  a  longi- 
tudinal, dorsal  impression  ;  aperture  white,  narrow.  Length,  /^ 
inch,  breadth,  y\  inch.     Hah.  Oahu. 

CypRiEA  spiiiERULA.  Shell  very  small,  globular,  white,  with 
an  impressed  dorsal  line,  and  numerous  transverse,  impressed  lines 


25 


extending  into  the  aperture  ;  base  very  convex  ;  aperture  white. 
Length,  ^^  inch,  breadth,  equal  to  the  length.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Cyp.  unifasciata.  Shell  oblong-ovate,  subrostrate,  smooth, 
glossy,  light  slate  color,  with  a  broad,  interrapted  band  of  a  dark 
brown  color  passing  over  the  middle  of  the  shell ;  aperture  rather 
narrow,  white,  with  a  fine  purple  stain  at  the  extremities.  Length, 
nearly  4  inch,  breadth,  ^  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

CyPRiEA  sPADix.  Shell  elongate-ovate,  rostrate,  smooth,  pol- 
ished, brown  or  bay  color  ;  base  convex,  white  ;  aperture  narrow, 
yellowish,  especially  at  the  extremities.  Length,  |  inch,  breadth, 
^  inch.     Hab.  Oahu. 

Mr.  Binney  stated  that  Dr.  Gould,  a  few  other  gentlemen 
and  himself,  had  engaged  Mr.  John  Bartlett,  a  person  well 
qualified  for  the  task,  to  make  a  zoological  exploration  of 
the  extreme  southern  part  of  the  peninsula  of  Florida,  with 
a  view  of  ascertaining  its  productions  in  reference  to  the 
geographical  distribution  of  both  terrestrial  and  marine  spe- 
cies. Mr.  Bartlett's  first  remittances  had  arrived.  Mr. 
Binney  had  examined  the  land  shells  ;  they  are  such  as  to 
confirm  fully  the  supposition  formerly  advanced  by  him  that, 
in  respect  of  the  terrestrial  mollusks,  the  southern  district  of 
Florida  is  distinguished  from  the  other  districts  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  approximates  in  zoological  character  to  the 
Antilles,  which  it  approaches  so  nearly,  geographically.  Of 
seven  genera,  two,  Cyclostoma  and  Siphonostoma  are  com- 
mon to  it  and  the  Antilles,  and  the  species  of  these  genera 
are  probably  the  same  that  have  been  already  noticed  in 
Cuba.  There  are  several  forms  of  Bulimus  and  Pupa 
peculiar  to  this  district,  the  Antilles,  and  the  more  southern 
coasts  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  one  form  of  Helix  com- 
mon to  it  and  the  island  of  St.  Croix.  Of  twenty-four 
species,  at  least  one  half  are  common  also  to  the  island  of 
Cuba.  Mr.  Binney  proposed  to  give  a  more  particular 
account  of  these  mollusks  hereafter. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  made  some  remarks  upon  Prof.  W.  R. 
Johnson's  Report  on  American  coals.  He  explained  the 
processes  employed  by  Prof.  Johnson  in  his  various  experi- 

PROCEEDINGS    B.  S.  N.  H.  4  JAN.  1845. 


26 


ments,  all  which  he  considered  ingenious  and  well  adapted 
to  the  purpose.  The  R^eport  was  pronounced  to  be  the  re- 
sult of  an  elaborate  and  thorough  examination  of  the  subject, 
and  to  present  facts  of  great  importance,  in  determining  the 
economical  value  of  American  Coals. 

Mr.  Blake  presented  for  the  cabinet  some  curious  globular 
masses  of  Quartz,  concerning  which  he  made  the  following 
remarks:  — 

On  a  plain  situated  in  the  valley  of  Quilca^  in  South  Peru,  near 
the  city  of  Arequipa,  and  about  thirty-four  miles  from  the  coast, 
are  to  be  found,  scattered  over  the  surface  and  imbedded  in  the 
loose  soil,  a  vast  number  of  quartz  balls  like  the  one  exhibited, 
varying  in  size  from  one  inch  to  four  inches  in  diameter.  The 
exterior  is  dark  reddish  brown,  and  presents  a  rough  surface 
showing  no  marks  of  abrasion.  When  broken  they  are  found  to 
be  pure  white  quartz.  The  structure  is  crystalline  in  all  of  them, 
while  in  some  the  crystals  are  well  defined  with  slight  interstices 
between  them,  and  a  few  have  been  found  hollow,  the  central 
cavities  being  lined  with  crystals. 

So  remarkably  similar,  and  so  nearly  globular  are  these  balls 
that  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  believe  them  to  be 
the  work  of  art,  and  ascribe  their  origin  to  the  ancient  Peruvians,  a 
supposition  the  absurdity  of  which  is  evident  on  the  slightest  in- 
spection. The  plain  over  which  they  lie  scattered  is  made  up  of 
the  debris  of  the  neighboring  mountains  ;  —  the  lofty  porphyritic 
peaks  of  the  Andes  flanked  by  sand-stone  and  gypsum. 

Dr.  Gould  read  a  paper,  containing  descriptions  of  species 
of  land  shells,  from  the  Sandwich  Islands,  supposed  to  be 
hitherto  undescribed. 

AcHATiNA  ADUSTA.  Testa  turrita,  apice  pyramidata,  iniperfo- 
rata,  soUda,  fusco-nigricante,  sursum  pallescente  ;  anfr.  7  con- 
vexis,  levitcr  striatis,  ultimo  subcarinato  ;  apertura  ovali,  intus 
opalina,  labro  simplici,  acuto,  nigro  ;  columella  eburnea,  antice 
in  dentem  producta.     Long.  1^,  lat.  f  poll. 

A  singular  shell,  partaking  of  the  characters  of  both  Achatina 
and  AchalineUa.  Occasionally,  instead  of  being  totally  black, 
there  are  bands  of  yellow. 

Stomatella  concinna.     Testa  parvula,  auriformi,  tenui,  striis 


27 


regularibus,  rosaceo  catenatim  pictis,  cincta  ;  labio  postice  dis- 
juncto,  revoluto  ;  columella  obsolete  perforata ;  intus  rosacea, 
nitida ;  anfr.  tres.     Long.  ^-,  lat.  j^ij  poU. 

A  minute  and  very  beautiful  species,  which  cannot  be  con- 
founded with  any  other. 

Trochus  verruca.  Testa  parva,solida,globoso-conica,  nitida 
plus  minusve  rosacea  :  anfr.  6  rotundatis,  ultimo  costulis  vol- 
ventibus  12  subequalibus,  maculis  saturatioribus  catenatim  slg- 
natis  cincto  ;  apertura  circulari  ;  columella  planulata,  antice  sub- 
producta  :  umbilico  parvo.     Long.  ■^,  lat.  ^  poll. 

Its  specific  name  suggests  its  general  appearance. 

Trochus  (Monodonta)  gemmatus.  Testa  parva,  conico- 
globosa,  rubella  vel  cinerascente :  anfr.  4  rotundatis,  ultimo 
costulis  ad  10,  e  granulis  nitidis  interdum  radiatim  saturatiori- 
bus compositis,  cincto  :  sutura  canaliculata  :  umbilico  expan- 
se, canali  et  carina  circumdato  ;  apertura  rotundata,  basi  pli- 
cata,  ringente,  labro  costulis  crenulato,  intus  sulcato.  Long.  ^^ 
lat.  I  poll. 

CoLUMBELLA  PALUMBINA.  Tcsta  ovato-turbinata,  nitida,  al- 
bida,  ferrugineo  marmorata,  et  transverse  lineata ;  apertura 
ringente ;  labro  inflexo,  denticulate  ;  columella  biplicata,  granu- 
losa, interdum  rosaceo  tincta.     Long,  f ,  lat.  y^^  poll. 

Like  turturina^  but  much  smaller,  and  having,  instead  of  re- 
volving strise,  regular  revolving  lines,  always  developed  near  the 
lip,  and  passing  more  or  less  backward. 

Cypr^a  gemmula.  Testa  parva,  ovato-globosa,  nitida,  cos- 
tulis numerosis  interdum  divaricantibus,  undique  elegantissime 
rugosa :  dorso  minime  sulcato :  colore  rubida,  dorso  utrinque 
maculis  duabus  rosaceis  fere  confluentibus,  lateribus  rosaceo 
asperso  :  subtus  alba,  apicibus  rosaceo  tinctis.  Long.  -J-,  lat.  WV 
poll. 

Allied  to  C.  tremeza^  Duclos. 

AcHATiNELLA  RADiATA.  Tcsta  solida,  ovato-conica,  lineolis 
castaneis,  flavidis  et  albidis  longitudinaliter  picta,  interdum  fascia 
mediani  vel  basali  alba ;  anfr.  6  convexis ;  sutura  marginata, 
albida  ;  apertura  ovata,  peristomate  reflexo,  flavido ;  plica  lata ; 
umbilicata.     Long,  |,  lat.  /g-  poll. 

In  size  and  marking  somewhat  resembles  Bulimus  radiatus, 
but  the  lines  are  finer  and  more  numerous. 

AcHATiNELLA    RUBENS.     Tcsta   elougato-ovata,    crassa,   stra- 


28 


minea,  apice  castanea,  antice  erubescente :  anfr.  6  convexis, 
sutura  impressa,  epidermide  fusco  hie  et  illic  obtectis  ;  apertura 
ovata,  labro  simplici  intus  incrassato,  rosaceo,  fauce  alba,  plica 
tenui ;  imperforata.     Long,  f ,  lat.  f  poll. 

A  plain  species,  but  well  marked  by  its  colors,  especially  by 
that  of  the  aperture. 

AcHATiNELLA  NucLEOLA.  Tcsta  solida.  impcrforata,  ovato- 
globosa,  livido-castanea,  apice  pallida,  ad  suturam  et  anlice 
albida :  anfr.  6,  postice  subtabulatis :  apertura  rotundata,  labro 
simplici;  columella  excavata,callo  obtecto  :  plica  parva.  Long. 
/^,  lat.  -1-  poll. 

A  small,  solid  species,  of  a  livid  hue,  whitish  at  tip  and  the 
neighborhood  of  the  suture,  and  milk  white  just  before  the  termi- 
nation of  the  whorl  at  the  aperture. 

AcHATiNELLA  MICROSTOMA.  Testa  ovata  imperforata,  solida, 
epidermide  fusco-virescente  :  anfr.  6,  ultimo  ventricoso ;  apertura 
parva,  ovato-rotundata,  fauce  livida  ;  labro  simplici,  intus  incras- 
sato ;  columella  profunde  sinuosa,  callo  crasso  obtecta  ;  plica 
valida.     Long,  f ,  lat.  /^  poll. 

Distinguished  by  its  ovate  form,  dusky  green  exterior,  and 
small,  strongly  fortified  aperture. 

AcHATiNELLA  FULiGiNOSA.  Tcsta  impcrforata,  ventricoso-ova- 
ta,  apice  acuta,  tenui,  pallide  virescente,  epidermide  nigricante 
induta ;  anfr.  6,  supra  sub-tabulatis,  striis  incrementi,  et  striis 
volventibus  inequalibus  decussatis :  apertura  parva,  semilunari ; 
labro  simplici,  intus  incrassato,  fauce  cserulescente  ;  plica  acuta. 
Long.  iV,  lat.  I  poll. 

Its  ventricose  form,  coarse  revolving  striae  and  blackish  epi- 
dermis, distinguish  it. 

AcHATiNELLA  STRiATULA.  Tcsta  parva,  ovato-elongata,  nitida, 
viridi,  longitudinaliter  concinne  et  creberrime  striato-costata  : 
anfr.  7  convexis,  ultimo  partem  dimidiam  spirae  aequante  ;  aper- 
tura angusta,  semilunari ;  labro  albido,  incrassato.  Long.  /^, 
lat.  ^\  poll. 

Not  unlike  Bulimus  ohscurus  in  general  appearance.  Distin- 
guished from  several  similar  species,  by  its  more  slender  form 
and  by  its  beautifully  barred  surface. 


29 

February  5,  1845. 
Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Gould  read  extracts  from  a  letter  from  Mr.  James 
Hall,  Geologist  of  New  York,  making  corrections  in  the 
report  of  his  remarks  at  the  meeting  of  the  Society  on  the 
21st  February  last,  published  in  the  Proceedings,  page  173. 
The  knob  of  Serpentine  in  the  neighborhood  of  Syracuse, 
N.  Y.  was  stated  to  have  been  first  noticed  by  Professor 
Vanuxem,  and  not  as  there  reported,  by  Mr.  Hall  himself. 

A  letter  was  read,  addressed  to  the  President  of  the  Society, 
by  John  J.  Dixwell,  Esq.  executor,  giving  notice  that  by  the 
last  will  and  testament  of  the  late  John  Parker,  Esq.  a  be- 
quest of  two  thousand  dollars  had  been  made  to  the  Society, 
which  sum  the  executors  were  ready  to  pay  to  such  person 
as  the  Society  might  authorize  to  receive  it  in  its  behalf. 
The  following  votes  were  then  passed  : 

Voted,  That  the  Society  will  accept  the  legacy  of  two 
thousand  dollars  bequeathed  to  it  by  the  late  John  Parker, 
Esq. 

Voted,  That  the  President  be  authorized  to  receive  from 
the  executors  the  amount  of  the  legacy  bequeathed  to  this 
Society  by  said  will,  and  to  execute  to  said  executors,  in 
the  name  and  behalf  of  this  society,  a  receipt  or  other  in- 
strument in  full  discharge  and  satisfaction  of  the  same. 

Voted,  That  the  Secretary  be  requested  to  communicate 
to  the  representatives  of  Mr.  Parker  the  high  sense  which 
this  Society  entertains  of  the  honorable  motives  which  dic- 
tated the  bequest,  and  their  grateful  acknowledgment  of  the 
liberal  aid  thus  rendered  to  the  Society,  and  to  the  cause  of 
science. 

Voted,  That  the  President  be  directed  to  pay  over  the 
amount  of  said  legacy  to  John  J.  Dixwell,  Esq.  Treasurer  of 
this  Society,  to  be  by  him  permanently  invested  in  such 
securities  as  he  may  think  proper,  with  the  concurrence  of 


30 

the  Financial  Committee,  in  the  name  of  "  The  Boston  So- 
ciety of  Natural  History." 

The  Chairman  announced  the  donation  of  about  fifty 
volumes  of  books,  mostly  relating  to  Natural  History,  which 
had  been  received  since  the  last  meeting,  from  Dr.  Francis 
Boott,  of  London.     It  was  then 

Voted,  That  the  Recording  Secretary  be  requested  to 
express  to  Dr.  Boott  the  thanks  of  the  Society  for  this  val- 
uable addition  to  its  library ;  and  also  that  the  fact  of  the 
donation  be  announced  in  the  public  papers. 

The  Treasurer  called  the  attention  of  the  Society  to  the 
state  of  its  finances.  It  appeared  that  for  several  years 
past,  the  annual  contributions  from  members,  on  which  the 
Society  relies  for  the  means  of  paying  its  current  expenses, 
had  fallen  off  by  the  secession  of  many  who  had  formerly 
been  members.  It  was  proposed  that  an  earnest  eflfort 
should  be  made  to  add  one  hundred  new  members  to  the 
Society  ;  and  it  was  voted  to  refer  the  subject  to  the  Presi- 
dent, and  Messrs.  Bulfinch  and  Bouve. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Professor  Emmons's  Report  on  the  Taconic  System  of  New 
York.     From  the  Author. 

Quarterly  Journal  of  Agriculture,  conducted  by  Prof.  Emmons 
and  A.  Prince.     From  the  Editors. 

DR.    FRANCIS    BOOTT's    DONATION. 

Lamarck.  Histoire  Naturelle  des  Animaux  sans  vertebres. 
5  vols.     8vo.     Paris,  1815. 

Linnsei  Fauna  Suecica.     8vo.     Ludg.  Bat.  1746. 

Latreille.  Genera  Crustaceorum  et  Insectorum.  4  vols,  in  2. 
8vo.     Paris,  1607. 

Smith,  J.  E.  Introduction  to  Botany,  with  Notes,  by  Dr.  J. 
Bigelow.     8vo.     Boston,  1814. 

Samouelle,  G.  Entomologist's  Companion.  8vo.  London, 
1819. 


31 


Berkcnhoiit,  J.  Synopsis  of  the  Natural  History  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland.     2  vols.     12mo.     London,  1795. 

Buchoz,  I.  P.  Histoire  des  Insectes.  2  vols.  12mo.  Paris, 
1809. 

Linna3i,  C.  Hortus  Upsalensis.  8vo.  Vol.  I.  Stockholmiae, 
1748. 

Cleveland,  P.  Elementary  Treatise  on  Mineralogy  and  Ge- 
ology.    8vo.     Boston,  1816 

Kirby,  W.  and  Spence,  W.  Introduction  to  Entomology.  2 
vols.  8vo.     London,  1816. 

Swartz,  Olof.  Methodus  Muscorum  lUust.  4to  pamph.  Up- 
saliae,  1781. 

Clarke,  E.  D.     Gas  Blow  Pipe.     8vo.     London,  1819. 

Rennie,  R.  Essay  on  the  Natural  History  and  Origin  of 
Peat.     8vo.  pamph. 

L'Abbe  Dubois,  &:c.  Rapport  fait  sur  les  divers  Concours 
pour  la  culture  des  Pommes  de  Terre,  &c.  8vo.  pamph. 
Paris,  1818. 

Richard,  L.  C.  Analyse  des  Fruits.  12mo.  pamph.  Paris, 
1808. 

Catalogue  of  Plants  in  the  Botanic  Garden  at  Liverpool. 
8vo.     Liverpool,  1808. 

Launy,  L.  de.  Mineralogie  des  Anciens.  2  vols.  8vo. 
Bruxelles,  1803. 

Bartram,  W.  Travels  in  North  America.  2d  ed.  8vo. 
London,  1794. 

Henderson,  E.  Iceland ;  or  Journal  of  a  residence  in  that 
Island.     2  vols.  8vo.     Edinburgh,  1818. 

Hooker,  W.  J.  and  Taylor,  T.  Muscologia  Britannica.  8vo. 
London,  1818. 

Barrow,  J.  Voyages  into  the  Arctic  Regions.  8vo.  London, 
1818. 

Reaumur.  Memoires  pour  servir  a  I'Histoire  des  Insectes. 
6  vols.  4to.     Paris,  1734. 

Levaillant,  F.  Voyage  en  Afrique.  3  vols.  4to.  Paris, 
1783-1785. 

Sparrman,  A.  Voyage  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  2  vols. 
4to.     London,  1781. 

Bauhini,  C.     Pinax  Theatri  Botanici.     4to.     Basileae,  1671. 


32 


Evelyn,  J.  Sylva,  or  a  Discourse  on  Forest  Trees,  &c. 
Long  4th.     London,  1689. 

Whitehurst,  J.  Original  state  and  formation  of  tlie  Earth. 
4to.     London,  1792. 

Petro  Pena  et  M.  de  Lobel,  Medic  is.  Accessio  ad  priscorum 
prsesertim  Dioscoridis,  et  recentiorum  Materiam  Medicam. 
Long  4to.     Antverpise,  1576. 

M.  de  Lobel.  Insulani  Plantarum  seu  Stirpium  Historia. 
Long  4to.     Antverp.  1576. 

Malpighi,  M.     Opera  Omnia.     Folio.     Londini,  1687. 

Dillenius,  J.  J.  Historia  Muscorum.  4to,  Oxonii,  1741. 
Iterum  Edinburgi,  1811. 

Barrelienus,  A.  P.  J.  Plantse  per  Galliam,  &c.  observatae. 
Fol.     Parisiis,  1714. 


February  19,  1845. 


Regular  meeting  of  the  Society — Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice 
President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Binney  presented  a  paper  from  Dr.  James  Deane,  of 
Greenfield,  Mass.  entitled  ''  Illustrations  of  Fossil  Foot- 
marks." It  was  accompanied  by  a  reduced  fac  simile  draw- 
ing of  a  slab  about  six  feet  in  diameter,  containing  upwards 
of  one  hundred  perfect  tracks,  being  completely  intersected 
by  rows  of  the  tracks  of  four  or  five  varieties  of  gregarious 
birds,  said  to  be  by  far  the  most  interesting  specimen,  both 
in  point  of  the  number  and  perfection  of  the  impressions,  yet 
discovered.  The  paper  was  referred  to  the  Committee  of 
Publication. 

Dr.  Binney  also  announced  the  reception  of  a  cast  of  a 
very  perfect  Ornithichinites  giganteus,  from  Mr.  Marsh,  of 
Greenfield. 

Mr.  Bouve  exhibited  a  collection  of  Fossils  from  the  Ter- 
tiary of  Claiborne,  Alabama,  and  a  few  from  Prairie  Bluff',  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  C.  S.  Hale,  of  Mobile.    The  collection  is  a  very 


33 


valuable  one,  both  in  regard  to  the  number  and  perfection 
of  the  specimens. 

The  thanks  of  the  Society  were  voted  to  Messrs.  Marsh 
and  Hale.  Dr.  Bacon  reported  on  a  mass  of  copper  ore 
from  Lake  Superior.  It  was  chrysocolla,  and  contained 
about  30  per  cent,  of  metallic  copper. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  reported  upon  "  Forbes's  Travels  in 
the  Alps."  He  gave  a  sketch  of  his  theory  of  the  move- 
ment of  glaciers,  as  deduced  from  his  observations  and 
measurements.  Mr.  Whitney  offered  some  objections  to 
the  theory,  and  the  work  was  recommitted  to  him,  with  a 
request  that  he  would  communicate  to  the  Society  his  own 
observations,  made  during  the  last  year. 

Dr.  Gould  read  a  communication  from  Professor  J.  W. 
Bailey,  of  West  Point,  entitled  "  Notes  on  the  Infusoria  of 
the  Mississippi  river." 

"  A  bottle  full  of  water  was  recently  placed  in  my  hands,  which 
had  been  col'ccted  about  a  month  before,  from  the  IMississippi 
river,  at  St.  Louis,  by  Lieut.  L.  H.  Allen,  of  the  United  States 
army,  who  brought  it  away  as  a  specimen  of  the  water  ordina- 
rily used  at  that  city,  for  drinking.  Having  long  supposed  that 
the  waters  of  the  Missouri  must  at  times  be  loaded  with  great 
quantities  of  the  minute  fossil  Polythalamia,  which  are  so  abundant 
in  the  cretaceous  marls  of  a  portion  of  the  river  which  it  traverses, 
I  was  led  to  seek  for  them  in  the  sediment  from  the  water  from 
St.  Louis,  as  at  this  place  the  turbid  w^aters  of  the  Missouri  still 
impress  their  own  character  upon  the  Mississippi. 

It  is  still  my  belief,  that  during  the  season  of  floods,  these  fos- 
sils may  be  detected  in  the  sediment  of  the  Missouri,  although  on 
this  occasion  I  failed  to  find  any  trace  of  these  animalcules  of 
former  days.  The  amount,  however,  of  microscopic  beings  of 
the  present  epoch  which  I  found  in  this  water  was  truly  sur- 
prising;  and  as  the  bottle  had  been  carefully  corked  when  the 
waters  were  collected,  and  had  not  been  opened  until  its  arrival 
at  West  Point,  whatever  organisms  it  contained  undoubtedly  be- 
longed to  species  inhabiting  the  Mississippi.  The  number  of  in- 
dividuals'had  doubtless  increased  by  reproduction ;  but  no  spe- 

PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H.  5  FEB.    1845. 


34 


cies  could  have  been  introduced  from  the  time  it  was  first 
collected  up  to  the  time  of  its  examination  by  me.  This  is  con- 
firmed by  the  fact,  that  several  of  the  species  are  entirely  differ- 
ent from  any  occurring  in  the  eastern  portions  of  the  United 
States, 

Having  thus  unexpectedly  an  opportunity  to  study  the  recent 
animalcules  of  so  interesting  a  locality,  I  examined  them  care- 
fully ;  and  I  now  offer  the  following  results  of  my  observations  as 
a  slight  contribution  to  the  knowledge  of  the  geographical  dis- 
tribution of  Infusoria  : 

1st.  The  water  of  the  Mississippi,  at  St.  Louis,  abounds  in 
soft,  as  well  as  siliceous-shelled  Infusoria. 

2d.  The  species  observed  by  me,  as  far  as  I  could  identify 
them  with  species  described  by  Ehrenberg,  were  the  following, 
namely : 


Micrasterias  boryana, 
"  elliptica, 

"  tricycla, 

Navicula  amphirhyncus, 
"         sigma. 

Oxytricha ? 

Rotifera  vulgaris, 

Stylonichia ? 


Arthrodesmus  acutus, 

"  quadricaudatus, 

Chcetonotus  larus, 
Coleps  hirtus, 
Euglena  triquetra  ? 
Eunotia  westermanni, 
Fragillaria  constricta, 

"  rhabdosoma, 

Furcularia  gibba,  Surirella  campylodiscus, 

Gallionella  distans,  Synedra  ulna. 

3d.  All  these  were  observed  by  me  in  a  living  state,  and  most 
of  them  were  in  g.rcat  abundance,  and  from  their  activity  as  well 
as  other  characters  they  appeared  to  have  suffered  no  injury 
from  transportation. 

4th.  The  remarkable  Surirella  campylodiscus  which  abounds 
in  the  water  from  St.  Louis,  has  not  before  been  found  in  the 
United  States,  but  is  mentioned  by  Ehrenberg  (Verbreitung,  &c., 
p.  100,)  as  a  Mexican  species. 

5th.  No  traces  of  any  Phytolitharia  were  seen  ;  neither  was 
the  cosmopolite  species  Pinnularia  viridis  detected. 

6th.  The  inhabitants  of  St.  Louis  consider  the  water  which 
they  drink  as  remarkably  wholesome,  and  are  surprised  that 
strangers  wish  to  have  it  filtered  for  their  use.  Whatever  its 
effect  on  health  may  be,  it  is  certain  that  it  contains  a  suflicient 
amount  of  animal  matter  to  be  somewhat  nutritious. 


35 


7th.  These  observations  prove  that  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi, 
like  those  of  the  Nile,  are  crowded  with  organic  life,  and  to  this, 
as  Eiirenberg  has  proved,  with  regard  to  the  Nile,  is  prob  .bly 
due,  in  no  small  degree,  the  fertilizing  power  of  its  sediment. 

8th.  The  minute  indestructible  shells  of  the  fluviatile  silicerus 
infusoria,  must  be  borne  to  immense  distances  by  the  powerful 
current  of  the  Mississippi,  and  it  is  even  probable  that  they  may 
be  carried  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  to  be  there  deposited,  in 
company  with  recent  marine  species. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

A  bottle  containiug  fishes  and  reptiles.  From  G.  W,  Colla- 
more. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London.  8vo.  pamph. 
Nos.  120  to  134.  For  1843  and  1844.  From  the  Zoological 
Society. 

Reports  of  the  Council  and  Auditors  of  the  Zoological  Society 
of  London.     8vo.  pamph.     1844.     From  the  same. 

Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadel- 
phia. Vol.  ii.  No.  6,  for  Nov.  and  Dec.  1844.  From  the  Aca- 
demy. 


March  5,  1845. 

C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair, 

Mr.  Bouve  read  a  notice  of  tlie  Final  Report  upon  the 
Geological  Survey  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  by 
Charles  T.  Jackson,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Cabot  placed  upon  the  table  mounted  specimens  of 
birds  from  Dr.  Cragin's  collection,  among  them  Caciciis 
hcemorrhous  and  Cacicus  icteronotns. 


36 

Mr.  Richards  mentioned  certain  experiments  made  by 
him  on  heated  tar.  He  had  plunged  his  hand  into  tar  at 
the  temperature  of  194°  Fahrenheit,  and  had  held  it  in  that 
situation,  for  several  seconds,  without  a  painful  sensation  of 
heat.  He  stated,  on  the  authority  of  others,  that  the  same 
result  had  followed  when  the  tar  was  heated  to  212°.  He 
asked  an  explanation  of  the  fact.  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  sug- 
gested that  the  low  conducting  power  of  the  tar  might  be 
the  cause,  and  proposed  that  a  series  of  observations  should 
be  made  to  ascertain  the  relative  power  of  tar,  as  compared 
with  water,  for  conducting  caloric. 

John  B.  Walker,  M.  D.,  Mr.  William  A.  Parker,  and  Mr. 
Franklin  Darracott,  were  elected  members. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Muscicapa  coronata,  from  Yucatan,  male  and  female.  By 
Dr.  Cabot. 

Skeleton  of  a  box  tortoise. 

Palate  and  pharyngeal  bones  of  a  parrot-fish. 

A  bird  called  by  the  natives  Devil-Bird,  from  its  note  which  is 
thought  by  them  to  be  of  ill  omen.  All  from  the  Cape  de  Verd 
Islands.     By  Dr.  C.  J.  Bates. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Conrad,  T.  A.  Fossils  of  the  Miocene  Formation  of  the 
United  States.     8vo.  pamph.     From  the  Author. 

Gray,  G.  R.,  Genera  of  Birds,  No.  10.  4to.  London,  1845. 
Audubon  Fund. 

Gould,  John.  Monograph  of  the  Odontophorina),  or  Partridges 
of  the  United  States,  No.  1.  Folio.  London,  1845.  Audubon 
Fund. 


37 

March  19,  1845. 
Charles  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  read  descriptions  of  shells  collected  by 
Dr.  Charles  J.  Bates,  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Navy,  on  the 
coast  of  Liberia. 

Pholas  branchiata.  Testa  oviformi,  clausa,  postice  acumi- 
nata, areolis  tribus  triangiilaribus  partita  :  areola  antica  plicis 
numerosis  conceritricis  serratis  :  mediali  transverse  subtiliter  stri- 
ata :  postica  lamellis  corneis  flexilibus  imbricatis  instrucla  :  dorso 
scutis  tribus  obtecto,  unico  magno  umbonali,  orbiculari ;  duobus 
marginalibus  lanceolatis,  duobus  quoque  ventralibus  ;  apophysi 
exili,  flexuoso-falciformi.     Long.  1^  ;  lat.  ^^- ;  poll. 

PsAMMOBiA  FiGLiNA.  T.  crassa,  sub-ovali,  sub-equilaterali, 
rufo-cinerea  ;  antice  rotundata  ;  postice  hiante,  sub-rostrata, 
valde  flexuosa,  apice  emarginata  ;  valvis  concentrice  laminoso- 
striatis,  radiatim  lineolatis  ;  natibus  elevatis,  attigentibus  ;  denti- 
bus  cardinalibus  divaricatis  ;  intus  alba,  punctis  numerosis  inden- 
tata.     Long.  3-i- ;  alt.  2}  ;  lat.  If  poll. 

Tellina  rubicunda.  T.  tenui,  transversa,  inequivalvi,  natibus 
postmedianis,  antice  semi-elliptica,  postice  triangular!,  flexuosa, 
apice  truncata,  concentrice  et  radiatim  minutissime  striata  ;  valva 
dextra  pianulata,  postice  areolam  triangularem  lamellosam  haben- 
te  ;  valva  sinistra  convexa  ;  colore  dilute  rosacea,  albo  radiata. 
Long.  1  ;  alt.  f  ;  lat.  ^  poll. 

Resembles  T.  donacina  in  shape  and  coloring,  but  is  larger, 
and  is  also  distinguished  by  the  triangular  area  of  coarser  sculpture 
on  the  right  valve. 

NucuLA  BicuspiDATA.  T.  alba,  transverse  elongato-ovata,  sub- 
cylindrica,  antice  rotundata  et  triplicata,  postice  producta,  tri- 
carinata,  bicuspidata  ;  valvis  oblique  concinne  striatis,  prceter  spatio 
excavate  inter  carinas  serratas ;  cardine  dcntibus  anticis  ad  12, 
posticis  ad  26.     Long.  | ;  alt.  J  poll. 

Nassa  turbinea.  Testa  solida,  ovata,  apice  producta,  albida  ; 
anfr.  9  sub-tabulatis,  plicis  numerosis  acutis  et  striis  volventibus 
profundis  ad  13  decussatis  ;  basi  spiraliter  striata  ;  apertura  parva, 
stricta,  angulato-ovali ;  labio  acuto,  crcnulato,  intus  sulcato  ;  callo 
columellari  erecto,  granulate.     Long,  -j^  ;  lat.  ^  poll. 


38 


Nassa  elata.  T.  elongato-conica,  cinereo-albida  ;  anfr.  8 
tabulatis,  marginatis,  posterioribus  plicatis,  penultimo  glabro,  ulti- 
mo antice  striate  ;  apertura  angusta,  ovali,  alba  ;  labro  acuto, 
antice  crenulato,  intus  striate.     Long.  i-§  ;  lat.  /^  poll. 

Helix  hepatizon.  Testa  depresso-conica,  crassa,  rubro- 
castanea,  canescente,  sub-perforata  ;  anfr.  5i  convexis,  striis  in- 
crementalibus  et  striis  volventibus  argute  reticulatis  ;  sutura 
impressa ;  apertura  sennicirculari,  contracta,  periston:iate  incras- 
sata,  intus  cerasina.     Lat,  l-f^  ;  alt.  f  poll. 

Found  near  the  mouth  of  the  Gaboon  river. 

James  Deane,  M.  D.,  of  Greenfield,  Mass. ;  C.  B.  Adams, 
M.  D.,  of  Middlebury,  Vt.,  were  elected  corresponding  mem- 
bers. 

donations  to  the  cabinet. 

Mounted  specimens  o^  Hirundo  serripennis  and  fulva,  Troglo- 
dytes hewickii,  Trichas  Philadelphia^  Fringilla  lincolni.  By  ex- 
change. 

A  specimen  of  petrified  wood.  From  Dr.  S.  P.  Kirtland,  of 
Ohio. 

additions  to  the  library. 

Audubon  and  Bachman.  Quadrupeds  of  America.  Plates  46 
to  50.     Folio.     Suhscrihers. 

Gray,  G.  R.  Genera  of  Birds,  No.  IL  4to.  London,  1845. 
Auduhon  Fund. 


April  3,  1845. 
Mr.  Binney,  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Wyman  exhibited  the  shell  of  Kinixis  homeana^ 
Bell,  from  Cape  de  Verd  Islands,  presented  by  Dr.  Bates. 
Dr.  W.  remarked  that  Mr.  Bell  described  this  species  as  a 
native  of  West  Africa,  while  Dumeril  and  Bibron,  probably 
incorrectly,  speak  of  it  as  belonging  to  South  America. 

Dr.  Storer  exhibited  numerous  drawings  of  fishes,  made 


39 


by  Dr.  C.  J.  Bates,  U.  S.  N.,  and  presented  by  him  to  tlie 
Society.  They  were  drawn  chiefly  from  specimens  observed 
by  him  on  the  west  coast  of  Africa.  Dr.  Storer  remarked 
that  the  drawings  and  accompanying  descriptions,  though 
not  the  results  of  the  labor  of  a  professed  naturalist,  were 
quite  sufficient  to  give  a  clear  idea  of  the  objects  described. 
They  showed,  too,  that  any  careful  and  intelligent  person 
may.  by  close  attention  and  perseverance,  render  essential 
services  to  Natural  History,  especially  when  possessing  a 
facility  for  drawing.  From  cursory  examination,  it  appeared 
probable  that  there  were  among  them  several  new  and  inter- 
esting forms. 

Letters  from  Dr.  G.  A.  Perkins,  of  Liberia,  corresponding 
member  ;  George  Brown,  U.  S.  Commissioner  at  the  Sand- 
wich Islands  ;  and  Mr.  George  Ditson,  of  Cuba  ;  respectively, 
announcing  donations,  were  read. 

Dr.  Bacon  remarked  upon  a  specimen  of  petrified  wood, 
recently  presented  by  Dr.  Kirtland,  that,  its  character  having 
been  doubted,  he  had  examined  longitudinal  and  horizontal 
sections  with  a  microscope,  and  had  ascertained  conclusively 
that  it  is  a  portion  of  a  true  fossil  tree  belonging  to  the 
natural  family  of  palms. 

D.  S.  Smalley,  of  Jamaica  Plain ;  Waldo  Higginson,  of 
Boston  ;  Asa  B.  Snow,  M.  D. ;  Dr.  Daniel  D.  Slade,  Cam- 
bridge, were  elected  members. 

Walter  Channing,  M.  D.,  Samuel  Wigglesworth,  M.  D., 
former  members,  were,  at  their  request,  restored. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

A  box  of  shells.  From  Dr.G.  A.  Perkins,  of  the  Liberia  mission. 
A  box  of  shells,  and  another  of  minerals.    From  George  Broiim, 
U.  S.  Commissioner,  Sandwich  Islands. 

Specimens  of  minerals.     From  George  Ditson,  Cuba. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Delessert  Benj.  Musee  Botanique.  8vo.  Paris,  1845.  From 
the  Author. 


40 


Navigantlum  et  Itinerantium  Bibliotheca.  Folio.  From  George 
Brown,  Esq. 

Proceedings  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society.  No.  21 
and  24.     1842.     From  the  Society. 


April  16,  1845. 
D.  H.  Storer,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Wyman  placed  upon  the  table  a  specimen  of  the 
mole-cricket,  Gryllotalpa  vulgaris,  taken  by  him  in  Virginia. 
This  species  takes  its  name  from  its  habit  of  burrowing  in 
the  earth,  for  which  purpose  its  first  pair  of  legs  is  modified 
in  form,  presenting  a  striking  analogy  to  those  of  the  mole. 
He  exhibited  this  structure  in  detail.  Dr.  Wyman  also  ex- 
hibited specimens  of  the  blue-bottle  fly,  in  the  different 
stages  of  development. 

A  letter  from  Dr.  Kirtland  was  read. 

Caleb  Reed,  and  F.  S.  Ainsworth,  were  elected  members. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

American  Journal  of  Science.  Vol.  xlviii.  No.  2.  From  the 
Editors. 

Gray,  G.  R.  Genera  of  Birds.  4lo.  No.  12.  Audulon 
Fund. 


May  7,  1845. 

Annual  Meeting. 

Amos  Binney,  the  President,  in  the  Chair. 

The  Secretary  read  the  record  of  the  last  annual  meeting. 

The  President,  then,  addressed  the  Society,  reviewing  its 

progress  for  the  past  year,  and  giving  a  statement  of  its  con- 


41 


dition  and  prospects.  He  enforced  the  necessity  of  more 
ample  accommodations  for  the  museum,  and  recommended 
that  an  appeal  should  be  made  to  the  liberality  of  the  public, 
with  a  view  to  raise  the  sum  of  ^  30,000.  In  aid  of  such 
an  appeal,  he  gave  a  short  history  of  the  Society,  showing 
how  much  it  had  accomplished,  how  great  its  influence  had 
been  on  the  cultivation  of  the  Natural  Sciences  in  New 
England,  the  extent  of  its  necessities,  and  the  nature  of  its 
claims  on  the  friends  of  learning  in  the  city  and  State. 
This  address,  having  been  printed  in  a  separate  form,  is 
omitted  here. 

Professor  Charles  Brooks,  then  read  a  discourse  on  the 
History  of  Philosophical  Zoology,  from  the  earliest  times  to 
the  present  day. 

The  Reports  of  the  Curators  and  Librarian  were  then 
read,  showing  a  respectable  increase  in  every  department  of 
the  museum  and  in  the  library. 

The  Report  of  the  Treasurer  exhibited  the  financial  con- 
dition of  the  Society  as  follows  : 

Amount  of  investment  for  permanent  fund, 
Cash  on  hand,  ...... 

Total, 

The  amount  of  admission  fees  and  annual  assess- 
ments, received  during  the  year,  is, 

The  amount  of  ordinary  expenses  is. 

Deficiency  supplied  from  income  of  permanent 
fund,         ....... 

Add  deficiency  of  former  years. 

Total  amount  diverted,  from  income  appropriated 

to  the  library  and  museum,         .         .         .  $470  10 

A  letter  from  John  J.  Dixwell,  Treasurer,  was  read,  de- 
clining a  reelection,  and  concluding  in  the  following  words  : 

"  I  cannot  retire  from  the  office  which  I  have  held  during  the 
past  six  years,  without  expressing  my  warmest  thanks  for  the 

PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H.  6  MAY,    1845. 


8  12,000 

428  88 

$  12,428  88 

456 

598  88 

142  88 
327  22 

42 


indulgence  with  which  my  efforts  have  been  received  by  the 
Society,  and  the  urbanity  which  has  been  extended  to  me  by  all 
its  members,  nor  without  offering  an  earnest  prayer  that  the 
beautiful  science  of  Nature,  exhibiting  as  it  does  the  Divine  love 
and  wisdom  of  the  Creator,  may  continue  to  be  illustrated  by 
your  Society,  with  renewed  zeal  and  untiring  diligence." 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  it  was  then 
Voted,  That  we  sincerely  regret  the  retirement  of  Mr. 
Dixvvell  from  the  office  which  he  has  so  long  and  so  ac- 
ceptably filled  ;  and  that  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  pre- 
sented to  him  for  the  faithful  and  satisfactory  manner  in 
which  he  has  performed  the  duties  of  its  Treasurer  for  six 
years  past. 

The  Society  then  proceeded  to  ballot  for  the  choice  of 
officers  for  the  year  ensuing,  and  the  following  gentlemen 
were  unanimously  chosen  : 

President^ 
Amos  Binney. 

Vice  Presidents^ 
Charles  T.  Jackson,  D.  Humphreys  Storer. 

Corresponding  Secretary^ 
Augustus  A.  Gould. 

Recording  Secretary^ 
Thomas  Bulfiach. 

Treasurer^ 
Patrick  T.  Jackson,  Jr. 

Curators^ 
J.  E.  Teschemacher,  Botany^ 
T.  William  Harris,      Entomology, 
Jeffries  Wyman,  Ichthyology  Sf  Herpetology, 

Martin  Gay,  Mineralogy, 

N.  B.  Shurtleff,  Comparatioe  Anatomy, 

Thomas  T.  Bouve,       Geology, 
Samuel  Cabot,  Jr.,       Ornithology, 
Edward  Tuckerman,  Conchology. 


43 

Librarian, 
Charles  K.  Dillaway. 

Cahinel  Keeper, 
Henry  J.  Bigelow. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  J.  V.  C.  Smith,  it  was  unanimously 
Voted,  That  tlie  thanks  of  the    Society  be  tendered  to 

Rev.  Prof.  Brooks,  for  the  learned  and  interesting  address 

which  he  has  delivered  on  this  occasion. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Storer,  it  was 

Voted,  That  the  President  be  requested  to  publish,  for 
the  use  of  members  and  others,  and  in  aid  of  the  effort  to 
raise  funds,  the  address  which  he  has  made  this  day. 

Voted,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Society,  the  time  has 
now  arrived  when  a  strenuous  effort  should  be  made  to  raise 
sufficient  funds  to  ensure  the  prosperity  and  permanence  of 
the  institution. 

Voted,  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  to  act  personally, 
or  through  others  to  be  selected  by  them,  to  solicit  contri- 
butions for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  building  for  the  use  of 
this  Society. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  elected  to  compose  this 
Committee  : 

Amos  Binney, 
Charles  T.  Jackson, 
D.  H.  Storer, 
A.  A.  Gould, 
Charles  Brooks, 
Benjamin  A.  Gould. 

The  Pveport  of  the  Treasurer,  and  his  accounts  to  this 
time,  were  referred  to  B.  A.  Gould  and  T.  J.  Whittemore, 
who,  having  examined  them,  reported  the  accounts  to  be 
correctly  kept,  the  expenditure  properly  vouched,  and  the 
balance  of  cash  to  correspond  with  that  stated  by  the  Treas- 
urer and  held  temporarily  by  the  President,  viz.,  $  428  88. 


44 


The  President  read  a  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  the 
Association  of  American  Geologists  and  Naturalists,  com- 
municating a  Report  of  a  Committee  of  that  body,  laid 
before  it  at  its  late  session  at  New  Haven,  on  the  subject  of 
the  nomenclature  of  Zoology,  which  Report  was  ordered 
by  a  vote  of  the  Association  to  be  submitted  to  this  Society 
for  consideration.  It  was  voted  to  refer  the  papers  to  a  com- 
mittee composed  of  the  following  persons  :  A.  A.  Gould, 
Jeffries  Wyman,  and  S.  L.  Abbott. 


June  4,  1845. 
C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Mr.  Teschemacher  remarked  that  he  had  just  received, 
from  St.  Diego,  California,  a  living  specimen  of  Melocactus 
viridescens,  of  Nuttall's  MSS.,  communicated  to  Messrs. 
Torrey  and  Gray,  and  published  by  them,  in  their  invaluable 
work  on  the  plants  of  North  America,  as  an  Echinocactus, 
The  difference  of  opinion,  between  these  authors  and  Mr. 
Nuttall,  as  to  the  generic  character  of  this  plant,  arose, 
probably,  from  the  assertion  of  the  latter  that  the  flowers 
proceeded  from  the  upper  clusters  of  spines  ;  whereas  the 
flowers  of  Melocactus  proceed  from  the  woolly  head,  char- 
acteristic of  this  genus,  in  which  they  are  usually  imbedded. 
But  Nuttall  also  states  that  the  fruit  is  smooth.  This  is  a 
character  of  Melocactus,  the  fruit  of  Echinocactus  being 
generally  more  or  less  scaly  from  the  remains  of  the  sepals. 
PfeifTer  says,  "  rarissime  loevis." 

The  specimen  was  stated  to  be  about  5  inches  high,  and 
9  inches  in  diameter  ;  the  spines  radiating,  very  crowded, 
and  transversely  striate,  four  of  tliem  (Nuttall  says  three)  in 
each  fascicle  larger  than  the  rest,  but  tlie  upper  and  lower 
spines  the  largest.     The  spines  somewhat  poisonous,  and 


4^ 


wounds  inflicted  by  them  almost  certain  to  fester.  In  other 
respects  agreeing  with  Nuttall's  description,  but  liaving  a 
woolly  head,  distinct,  though  small,  and  depressed  in  the 
centre  of  the  plant. 

There  were  no  flowers  upon  the  specimen,  but  the  scars 
left  by  them  existed.  On  the  scars  several  seeds  remained 
exactly  as  may  be  seen  in  other  Melocacti,  the  fruit  of  which 
has  dried  off*.  The  scars  were  behind  the  fascicles  of  spines, 
near  the  axis,  and  not  in  the  centre  of  the  fascicle  as  in 
Echinocactus,  and  from  their  close  proximity  to  the  woolly 
head,  were  probably  immersed  in  the  edge  of  it.  Nuttall 
had  stated  that  they  are  seldom  laterally  clustered  ;  there 
were,  however,  two  young  plants  laterally  attached  to  the 
specimen. 

From  these  facts  IMr.  Teschemacher  was  of  opinion  that 
the  plant  should  be  restored  to  the  genus  Melocadus  in 
which  Nuttall  originally  placed  it.  Tlie  native  name  of  the 
plant  is  C  hoy  as. 

Mr..  Teschemacher  also  exhibited  and  remarked  upon  a 
large  collection  of  ferns  and  club-mosses,  sent  to  the  Society 
from  the  Sandwich  Islands  by  George  Brown,  U.  S.  Com- 
missioner. 

Dr.  Gould,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee  to  whom  was  re- 
ferred the  Communication  from  the  Association  of  American 
Naturalists  and  Geologists  concerning  nomenclature,  re- 
ported its  approval  of  the  code  of  rules  recommended  by 
that  body,  with  some  suggestions  of  amendment.  The  Com- 
mittee was  directed  to  communicate  their  report,  with  the 
suggestions,  to  the  Association. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  reported  upon  the  copper  ores  of 
Cuba  presented  by  Mr.  George  Ditson. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Prof.  Agassiz,  of  Neufchatel,  an- 
nouncing his  intention  of  visiting  this  country,  and  of  bring- 
ing with  him  a  large  collection  of  fossils,  and  other  specimens 
of  foreign  natural  history,  to  exchange  for  North  American 
productions. 


46 


Letters  from  Ezra  Weston  and  George  Ditson,  accom- 
panying donations,  were  also  read. 

T}ie  following  gentlemen  were  elected  members  :  Lemuel 
Stanwood  ;  Franklin  H.  Story,  Jun. ;  Henry  G.  Andrews  ; 
George  B.  Blake  ;  Thomas  C.  Amory,  Jun.  ;  Waldo  Flint ; 
George  H.  Kuhn  ;  and  Joseph  Hobbins,  M.  D. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Large  specimen  of  Mytilus  from  Monterey,  California.  By 
J.  E.  Teschemacher. 

Numerous  bottles  of  reptiles  and  other  animals,  from  Surinam. 
By  Dr.  F.  W.  Cragin.,  of  Surinam. 

An  engraved  portrait,  in  a  frame,  of  Sacaze-Gaston,  a  self- 
taught  botanist,  of  the  department  of  Basses-Pyrenees,  France. 
By  Ezra  Weston. 


June  18,  1845. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  Jun.,  remarked  that  among  the  birds 
of  Surinam  lately  received  from  Dr.  Cragin,  he  had  noticed, 

Himantopus  nigrocollis,  The  black-backed  stilt, 
Anhinga  Caj'olinensis,      The  black-bellied  darter, 
which  are  also  natives  of  the  United  States. 

He  had  also  recently  procured  in  the  market  Scolopax 
noveboracensis,  the  read -breasted  snipe,  in  its  winter  plu- 
mage, in  which  it  very  rarely  occurs  in  this  region. 

Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman  mentioned  that  among  the  specimens 
presented  by  Dr.  Cragin,  there  were  two  of  monstrosities. 
He  proposed  that  these  should  be  deposited  with  the  Society 
for  Medical  Improvement,  whose  collection  of  monstrosities, 


47 


exhibited  anatomically,  he  described  as  surpassing,  in  extent 
and  value,  any  of  a  similar  kind  in  this  country,  or  even  in 
Europe,  with  the  exception  of  that  at  Berlin.     It  was  then 

Voted,  That  the  specimens  be  deposited  with  tlie  Society 
of  Medical  Improvement,  in  the  name  and  as  the  donation 
of  Dr.  Cragin,  and  that  Dr.  Cragin  be  informed  of  the  dis- 
position thus  made  of  them. 

Dr.  Wyman  made  some  observations  upon  a  specimen  of 
Simla  pit hecia  received  from  Dr.  Cragin. 

Edward  Winslow,  Jacob  Sleeper,  Joseph  M.  Wightman, 
Paschal  P.  Pope,  and  Samuel  Austin,  Jun.,  were  elected 
members  of  the  Society. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Gray,  G.  R.  Genera  of  Birds.  4to.  Part.  xiv.  Audubon 
Fund. 

Hooker,  W.  I.  Genera  Fiticum.  Parts  x,  xi,  xii.  Courtis 
Fund. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  No.  100.  June, 
1845.     The  same. 

Report  of  Commmissioner  of  Patents  for  1844.  Svo.  Wash- 
ington, 1845.     From  Charles  Slodder. 


July  2,  1845. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  read  a  description  of  a  hitherto  un- 
described  species  of  fish,  received  from  Mr.  S.  C.  Clark,  of 
Chicago,  with  drawings  taken  from  the  living  fish. 

Etheostoma  c^rulea.  Body  oblong.  Head  slightly  gibbous 
anterior  to  the  eyes,  which  are  prominent.     When  alive,  reddish 


48 


above,  orange-colored  upon  the  lower  portions  of  the  sides,  with 
nine  or  ten  transverse  blue  bands,  which  are  not  perceptible  through 
the  red  upon  the  back.  Anterior  dorsal  yellow,  margined  with 
blue  ;  posterior  dorsal  with  a  longitudinal  blue  band  at  its  base 
and  margin  ;  ventral,  anal  and  caudal  fins,  bluish  ;  pectorals  light 
yellow.     A  blue  blotch  upon  the  cheeks. 

Rays.     D.  10,  13  ;  P.  13  ;  V.  1,  5  ;  A.  9  ;  C.  16. 

Length,  2^-  inches.     Fox  River,  Illinois. 

Dr.  Storer,  also  read  descriptions  of  the  following  species 
of  fishes,  received,  together  with  drawings,  from  Mr.  Charles 
A.  Hentz,  of  Florence,  Alabama. 

Leuciscus  croceus.  Body  oblong,  convex  in  front  of  the  dor- 
sal fin.  Lateral  line  straight.  Head  large.  All  upper  part  of 
body  greenish  ;  throat  flesh-colored.  An  indistinct  brown  band 
runs  through  the  centre  of  the  sides  from  the  operculum  to  the 
base  of  the  tail ;  at  its  termination  is  a  small  black  blotch.  Sur- 
face covered  with  a  slimy  secretion.     Fins  orange. 

Rays.     D.  8  ;  P.  14  ;  V.  8  ;  A.  7  ;  C.  19. 

Length,  3J-  inches.     Alabama. 

L.  PROLiXDS.  Body  much  elongated.  Head  flattened  above. 
Lateral  line  descends  obliquely  to  a  point  above  posterior  ex- 
tremity of  the  pectorals,  thence  pursues  a  straight  course  to  the 
tail.  Top  of  head  brown,  with  numerous  minute  tubercles  ;  back 
greenish.  Upper  part  of  sides  blue  with  lilac  tints,  lower  part 
white.     Dorsal  fin  brown,  the  others  yellowish. 

D.  9 ;  P.  14  ;  V.  8  ;  A.  9  ;  C.  16. 

Length,  4  inches.     Alabama. 

L.  oBEsus.  Body  short.  Head  large.  Abdomen  convex. 
Dorsal  ridge  green  ;  sides  yellow,  with  deep  lilac  intermixed,  so 
as  to  appear  like  a  longitudinal  band  of  the  latter  color  ;  lower 
part  of  sides  bluish  ;  top  of  head  fuliginous.  Pupils  black,  irides 
golden.     Lateral  line  assumes  the  curve  of  the  body. 

Length  3^  inches.     Florence,  Alabama. 

L.  GiBBosus.  Body  convex  above.  All  upper  parts  of  body 
green  ;  lower  part  of  sides  light  lilac.  Fins  greenish-yellow. 
Opercles  light  with  lilac  tints. 

Length,  4  inches.     Tuscaloosa,  Alabama. 

Etheostoma  tessellata.     Body  oblong.     Head  gibbous,  less 


49 


than  one  fourth  the  length  of  the  body.  Lateral  line  straight. 
Top  of  the  head  and  upper  portion  of  the  sides,  of  a  greenish- 
brown  color ;  eight  or  ten  transverse  bluish  bands  upon  the  sides. 
The  intervals  between  these  bands  are  yellowish,  and  in  their 
centres  is  a  bluish  rhomb.  A  black  blotch  at  the  base  of  the 
tail.  The  lips,  opercles  and  rays  of  the  first  dorsal,  gamboge 
yellow.     Caught  in  running  water. 

D.  12,  13;  P.  13  ;  V.  6  ;  A.  12  ;  C.  17. 

Length,  3  inches.     Florence,  Alabama. 

Etheosto.-\ia  cinerea.  Body,  oblong,  compressed.  Head 
gibbous  directly  over  the  eyes.  The  upper  portion  of  the  sides 
of  a  light  yellow  color,  crossed  longitudinally  by  three  or  four 
cinereous  interrupted  narrow  bands,  one  or  two  of  which  com- 
mence at  the  snout,  the  others  arise  back  of  the  head,  and  are 
lost  anterior  to  the  tail.  Beneath  these  bands,  is  a  series  of  lon- 
gitudinally arranged  oval  blotches,  of  a  similar  color,  and  from 
these  blotches  descend,  obliquely,  backwards  and  downwards  to 
the  abdomen,  narrow,  cinereous  lines.  Lower  portion  of  sides 
yellowish  white.  First  dorsal  margined  with  red  ;  second  dorsal 
and  anal  variegated  with  red.     Caught  in  deep,  still  water. 

D.  11,  13  ;  P.  15  ;  V.  6  ;  A.  10  ;  C.  17. 

Length,  3  to  4  inches.     Florence,  Alabama. 

A  paper,  by  Dr.  J.  P.  Kirtland,  supplementary  to  his 
former  papers,  was  read,  containing  descriptions  of  the  fishes 
of  Ohio,  in  which  the  following  new  species  occurred. 

ExoGLossuM  DUBiUM.  Head  somewhat  elongated  ;  eyes  small, 
prominent ;  upper-jaw  projects  two  lines  beyond  the  lower,  which 
is  small,  semicircular,  and  mosdy  concealed  by  the  projection  of 
the  upper  when  the  mouth  is  closed  ;  lips  circular,  the  lower  re- 
flected after  the  manner  of  the  Catostomi,  only  smaller  and  less 
fleshy.  Body  gibbous  on  the  back,  before  the  dorsal  fin  cylin- 
drical, slightly  compressed  on  the  sides.  Abdomen  full.  Scales 
small  oval.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins,  trapezoidal ;  caudal  fin  bilobed, 
the  upper  lobe  acuminate,  the  lower  obtuse.  Pectoral  fin  fal- 
cate, subovate. 

Color.  Irides  golden  yellow,  head  and  back  olive,  operculum 
iridescent,  sides  dusky,  abdomen  white,  fins  fulvous. 

PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H.  7  JULY,    1845. 


50 

Lengthy  from  4  to  6  inches.  Hob.  Yellow-Creek,  Poland, 
Trumbull  Co.,  Ohio. 

D.  8  ;  C.  20  ;  A.  7  ;  V.  8  ;  P.  14. 

Mr.  James  D.  Dana,  of  New  Haven,  corresponding  mem- 
ber, made  some  interesting  remarks  concerning  the  growth 
of  corals,  madrepores,  sponges,  &c.,  derived  from  his  own 
observations  during  the  late  exploring  expedition.  At  his 
request,  the  Society  voted  to  allow  him  the  use  of  any  speci- 
mens in  their  collection,  to  aid  him  in  illustrating  and  perfect- 
ing his  forthcoming  work  on  the  corals  and  other  allied 
families,  with  the  privilege  of  removing  them  to  his  own 
residence. 

Dr.  Storer  made  some  remarks  on  a  specimen  of  the  ray 
family,  Myliobatis  guttata,  a  beautifully  preserved  specimen 
of  which  was  presented  by  John  Tyler,  Jun. 

George  Heaton,  M.  D. ;  George  Hayward,  Jun.,  M.  D. ; 
Edward  Hall,  M.  D. ;  Abiel  Chandler ;  S.  N.  Dickinson, 
were  elected  members. 

Rev.  William  Dean,  Missionary  to  China  ;  M.  W.  Dicke- 
son,  M.  D.,  Natchez,  Mississippi ;  B.  C.  L.  Wailes,  Wash- 
ington, Mississippi  ;  Joseph  Leidy,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia, 
were  elected  corresponding  members  of  the  Society. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Audubon  and  Bachman.  Quadrupeds  of  N.  America.  Folio 
Plates  56  to  60.     Subscribers. 

Von  Martius.  Systema  Materise  Medicae  Vegetabilis  Brasili 
ensis.     8vo  pamph.     Lipsise,  1843.     From  Asa  Gray. 

Brisseau  de  Mirbel.  Anatomische  und  Physiologische  Unter 
suchungen  iiber  den  Stamm  der  Dattelpalme.  4to  pamph.  1843 
From  the  same. 

Von  Martius,  C.  F.  P.  Bericht  iiber  das  Guano.  8vo  pamph 
From  the  same. 


51 

July  16,  1845. 

Mr.  Binney,  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  read  a  description  of  a  fish  from  Ala- 
bama river,  forwarded,  with  a  drawing,  by  Charles  A.  Hentz, 
Florence,  Alabama. 

P^ciLiA  OLiVACEA.  Body  oblong,  head  flattened  above.  All 
upper  portion  of  the  body  olive-colored,  sprinkled  with  minute 
black  dots  ;  a  light  spot  on  the  top  of  the  head  ;  a  broad  black 
band,  commencing  at  the  angle  of  the  jaws,  is  continued  the 
whole  length  of  the  body  to  the  caudal  rays  ;  throat  and  abdomen 
white.  Fins  yellowish  green.  Caudal  rounded,  spotted  like  the 
upper  portion  of  the  body.  Caught  at  all  seasons,  swimming  on 
the  top  of  the  water,  catching  at  floating  objects.  Commonly 
called  Top  minnow. 

D.  9  ;  P.  13  ;  V.  6  ;  A.  12  ;  C.  19. 

Length  2^  inches.     Florence,  Alabama. 

Dr.  Storer  mentioned  that  he  had  recently  obtained  a 
specimen  of  Prionotus  tribulus,  Mitch.,  from  the  waters  of 
Massachusetts  Bay.  He  had  never  before  been  able  to  ob- 
tain authentic  evidence  of  the  existence  of  this  fish  in  Mas- 
sachusetts. The  specimen  was  presented  to  the  Society  by 
the  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  who  procured  it  in  an  early  morn- 
ing visit  to  the  Boston  market,  where  his  accurate  knowledge 
of  our  fishes  enabled  him  at  once  to  distinguish  it  as  a  spe- 
cies he  had  never  before  seen.  It  was  taken  north  of  Cape 
Cod. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  exhibited  a  collection  of  marine  ob- 
jects and  fossils,  collected  by  him  during  a  recent  visit  to 
Nantucket  and  Martha's  Vineyard. 

Dr.  Jeflfries  Wyman  stated  that,  while  examining  micro- 
scopically the  structure  of  Actinia,  he  had  noticed,  in  the 
extremities  of  the  tentacles,  the  existence  of  minute  spiculae, 
having  an  elongated  form  slightly  curved,  with  the  extremi- 
ties rounded.     He  had  found   similar  spiculae   existing  in 


62 


nearly  all  the  tissues  of  the  body,  especially  in  the  integu- 
ments, and  in  the  coats  of  the  stomach.  They  were  diiTused 
through  the  tissues  in  the  same  manner  as  the  spiculse  in 
sponges  and  other  allied  substances. 

A  paper,  by  Joseph  Leidy,  M.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  cor- 
responding member,  on  the  Anatomy  of  Littorina  anguli- 
fera,  was  read.  It  was  accompanied  by  drawings,  and  was 
referred  to  the  Committee  of  Publication. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  stated  that,  when  recently  at  Nan- 
tucket, he  had  examined,  as  well  as  he  could,  on  the  spot, 
the  anatomy  of  several  specimens  of  swell-fish,  Tetraodon 
turgidus,  and  he  had  reason  to  suppose,  contrary  to  the 
opinion  of  others,  that  the  part  of  the  animal  which  is  in- 
flated, is  truly  the  stomach.  The  observations,  however, 
were  made  under  unfavorable  circumstances,  and  the  result 
being  unexpected,  he  desired  not  to  commit  himself  as  to 
this  opinion,  until  he  could  have  an  opportunity  of  a  more 
careful  investigation. 


August  6,   1845. 
Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  mentioned  that  he  had  received  a  letter 
from  Prof.  J.  P.  Kirtland,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  dated  July  17, 
1845,  mentioning  some  facts  which  might  be  interesting  to 
ornithologists.  At  the  date  of  the  letter,  flocks  of  the  pine- 
finch,  Fringilla  pinea,  were  flying  about  his  garden,  and 
also  the  Bohemian  wax-wing,  Bomhycilla  garrula,  thirty 
or  forty  specimens  of  which  had  been  taken. 

Dr.  Storer  read  a  letter  from  Dr.  Richard  Parnell,  author 
of  a  prize  essay  on  the  fishes  of  the  Frith  of  Forth,  an- 
nouncing that  he  was  giving  his  attention  to  the  fishes  of 
the  West  Indies. 


63 


DONATIONS    TO    THE    MUSEUM. 

Fossils  from  Trenton  Falls,  New  York.     By  Dr.  S.  L.  Ahbott, 
A  Pelican  from  Bombay.     By  Willimn  Ballard^  Esq. 
Specimen  of  Mcnobranchus.     By  D.  C.  Clark,  Chicago. 
A  large  number  of  ncsls  with  eggs.     By  Mr.  Ogden. 
Skins  of  Ti/rajinulajlavi-ventris,  minima.,  fusca,  acadica,  virens 
and  traillii.     From  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird,  Carlisle,  Penn. 
Skin  of  Picus  varius.     By  Moses  Kimhall. 
Skin  of  Arclomys  monax.     By  Mr.  Ogden. 


August  20,  1845. 

D.  H.  Storer,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  read  descriptions  of  recent  shells  col- 
lected by  Mr.  John  Bartlett  in  the  everglades  of  Florida. 

Unio  paludicolus.  Testa  transversa,  ovato-rhomboidea  in- 
equilaterali,  antice  roiundata  ;  margine  ligamentali  arcuata ; 
natibus  prominulis,  erosis ;  epidermide  rufo-castanea  ;  dentibus 
cardinalibus  obliquis,  pyramidatis  ;  lateraiibus  lente  arcuatis ; 
margarita  cupreo-coriiscante.     Long.  If  ;  alt.  -^^j  poll. 

In  shape  and  size  closely  resembles  TJ.  Jieterodon. 

Unio  papyraceus  Testa  fragili,  valde  inequilaterali,  trans- 
verse ovato-oblongata,  sub-cylindracea  ;  postice  subrostrata,  supra 
angulata  ;  natibus  parvis,  eleganter  undulatis  ;  epidermide  levi- 
gata,  luteo-castanea,  radiatim  lineolata  ;  cardine  invalido  ;  dente 
cardinali  longitudinali,  compressa  ;  laterali  tenui,  recta ;  margarita 
argentea.     Long.  If  ;  lat.  -/jy  ;  alt.  1  poll- 

In  shape,  delicacy,  and  even  its  color,  it  is  not  unlike  Anod. 
couperiana,  Lea. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  made  some  remarks  upon  the  skele- 
ton of  a  whale  recently  exhibited  in  this  city,  and  compared 
it  with  the  Rorqual  du  Cap  of  Cuvier.  The  individual 
was  taken  off  the  coast  of  Maine,  last  July,  and  the  skeleton 
was  prepared  and  set  up  with  much  labor  and  expense, 
though   by   persons    totally    unacquainted    with    anatomy. 


54 


The  whole  length  of  the  skeleton  was  said  to  be  40  feet, 
and  the  number  of  vertebrae  was  51,  the  terminal  one  having 
perhaps  been  lost.  The  cervical  vertebrae  were  all  separate, 
and  so  they  are  in  the  Rorqual  du  Cap,  excepting  a  fusion 
of  the  upper  part  of  the  wings  of  the  second  and  tiiird. 
This  fusion  may  have  originally  existed,  and  the  evidence 
been  apparent  in  the  present  specimen  ;  but  Dr.  Jackson 
not  being  aware  of  the  observation,  at  the  time,  in  respect 
of  the  rorqual,  had  not  given  his  attention  to  this  point  in 
the  skeleton.  The  number  of  ribs,  on  the  right  side,  was 
thirteen,  and  on  the  left  side  fourteen ;  in  the  rorqual,  fourteen 
on  each  side.  Only  one  of  the  baleen  plates  was  exhibited  ; 
this  measured  only  thirty  inches  in  length,  although  it  was 
said  to  be  one  of  the  longest.  The  skeleton  wanted  the 
bones  of  the  pelvis,  and  belonged  to  a  female  nearly  adult. 

Rev.  E.  E.  Hale  gave  a  relation  of  an  ascent  recently 
made  by  him  to  the  top  of  Mount  Katahdin,  in  Maine. 

Mr.  Hale  found  on  the  summit  but  eight  phanerogamous 
plants  which  are  not  found  below  that  elevation.  All  of 
these  prove  to  be  common  to  Katahdin  and  Mount  Washing- 
ton. Katahdin  is  nearly  one  hundred  miles  farther  north 
than  Mount  Washington,  and  the  climate  of  the  summits  is 
probably  about  the  same. 

The  plants  referred  to  are  : 

Arenaria  greenlandica,  Empetmim  nigrum, 

Solidago  virgaurea  [alpina,]  Juncus  trifidus, 

Vaccinium  uliginosum,  Carex  washingtoniana, 

Diapensia  lapponica,  Prenanthes  thesoidea. 

Mr.  Hale  also  observed  the  Lycopodium  anotinum. 

Dr.  J.  Wyman  announced  some  observations  recently 
made  by  him,  on  the  perforation  of  shells  by  the  animal  of 
Natica  heros. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Catalogue  of  Plants  in  the  Cabinet  of  the  Providence  Franklin 
Society.     From  S.  T.  Olne.y. 


55 


Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  Nos.  101,  102  and 
103.      Courtis  Fund. 

Gray,  G.  R.  Genera  of  Birds.  4to.  No.  16.  Auduhon 
Fund. 


Sept.  S,   1845. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


Dr.  S.  Cabot,  Jr.,  c6mmunicated  a  hst  of  birds  observed 
by  him,  during  a  late  visit  to  the  Magalloway  River,  one  of 
the  sources  of  the  Androscroggin,  including  only  such  as  he 
had  ascertained  to  have  their  breeding  places  in  that  vicinity. 
These  were  : 

Mergus  serrafor,  Anas  sponsa, 

"        cucidlatus,  Fuligula  clangula. 

Anas  obscura, 

He  also  exhibited  a  specimen  of  Orismia  canivetii,  Les- 
son, concerning  which  he  had  lately  noticed  a  remark  in 
M.  Lesson's  work,  to  the  effect  that  the  species  is  very  rare, 
and  that  the  author  had  never  seen  a  perfect  specimen. 
Dr.  Cabot  procured  his  in  Yucatan. 

Prof.  Asa  Gray  read  a  paper  prepared  by  himself  and  Dr. 
George  Engelmann,  entitled,  "  Plantce  LindhehneriancB : 
an  Enumeration  of  the  Plants  collected  in  Texas,  and  dis- 
tributed to  Subscribers,  by  F.  Lindheimer ;  with  Remarks, 
and  Descriptions  of  New  Species.^^  It  was  referred  to  the 
Publishing  Committee.  In  it  the  following  new  genera  and 
species  were  characterized : 

New  Genera  Proposed. 

Thysanella.  Floras  dioico-polygami.  Perigonium  penta- 
phyllum  petaloideum  ;  phyllis  omnibus  erectis  margine  scariosis 
et  eroso-fimbriatis,  duobus  exterioribus  cordato-sagittatis  post 
anthesin  auclis,  interioribus  minoribus  ovato-lanceolatis,  pectinato- 
fimbriatis.  Stamina  8  :  filamenta  filiformia  perigonium  adse- 
quantia.  Ovarium  (infertile)  trigonum  :  styli  3  filiformes ;  stig- 
matibus    simplicibus.  —  Herba    ramosa,    glabra    (bipedalis)    in 


66 


arenosis  Georgise  vigens,  caulibus  virgaiis  strictis  ;  foliis  angusto- 
linearibus  elongatis  acutatis  striatulis  sessilibus  ;  ochreis  truncatis 
setis  capillaribus  longissime  barbatis  ;  floribus  (incarnatis)  race- 
moso-spicatis  ;  spicis  solitariis  vel  geminis,  paniculatis,  dense 
imbricatim  ochreato-brachteatis  ;  ochreis  oblique  truncatis  in 
acumen  aristiforme  productis  ;  pedicellis  in  medio  articulatis. 

Brazoria.  Calyx  late  campanulatus,  bilabiatus  (labio  superiore 
breviter  3-lobo,  inferiore  2-lobo,)  per  anthesin  inflatus,  post  an- 
thesin  e  surrectione  labii  inferioris  clausus,  indistincte  nervosus, 
reticulato-venosus.  Corolla  tubo  longe  exsuto,  fauce  inflata ; 
limbi  bilabiati  labio  superiore  erecto  subgaleato  breviter  bilobo 
vel  integro,  inferiore  profunde  trifido,  lobis  rotundatis  patentibus 
seu  recurvis.  Stamina  4,  sub  labio  superiore  adscendentia : 
filamentum  supra  medium  corollas  adnata,  ubi  pilosa,  inferioribus 
eminentibus  :  antherse  approximate  ;  loculis  distinctis  divaricanti- 
bus  ad  rimam  pi.  m.  ciliatis.  Stylus  glaber,  apice  eequaliter 
bifido,  lobis  subulatis.  Achenia  sicca.  —  Herbse  annuse,  Texanse, 
facie  foliis  et  inflorescentia  Physostegise.  Corolla  incarnata,  fauce 
luteola. 


Species 

Ranunculus  texensis, 

"  trachyspermus, 

Hypericum  gymnanthum, 

Sida  lindheimeri, 

Gaura  lindheimeri, 

Helianthus  prcecox, 

Cuscuta  cuspidata, 

Solanum  texense, 

Scutellaria  cardyophylla, 

Monarda  lindheimeri, 

Pilinophytum  lindheimeri, 

Sagittaria  stolonifera, 

Spiranthes  vernalis, 

Scilla  angusta, 

Spartina  junciformis, 

Scirpus  olneyi, 

Vesicaria  auriculata, 

Mammilaria  similis, 
"  sulcata, 


Described. 

Echinocactus  setispinus, 

"  lindheimeri, 

Cereus  csespitosus, 
Asclepias  lindheimeri. 
Gonolobus  cynanchoides, 
Lithospermum  breviflorum, 
Eutoca  strictiflora, 
"       patuliflora, 
Brazoria  scuttellarioides, 
Dipteracanthus  micranthus, 
"  drummondii, 

"  linearis, 

"  nudiflorus. 

Polygonum  cristatum, 
Arislolochia  longiflora, 
Euphorbia  arkansana, 

"  bicolor, 

Aphora  humilis, 
Tragia  brcvispica, 
Sisirincum  minus. 


57 


Prof.  Gray  exhibited  specimens  of  a  new  manner  of  en- 
graving on  stone,  well  adapted  for  botanical  and  other 
natural  history  illustrations.  The  cost  was  stated  to  be  very 
low  compared  with  copper-plate  engravings. 

A  paper  containing  an  elaborate  description  and  drawings 
of  the  anatomy  of  the  animal  of  Helix  alholabris,  Say,  by 
Joseph  Leidy,  M.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  Corresponding  Mem- 
ber, was  read,  and  referred  to  the  Publishing  Committee. 

A  letter  from  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  dated  at  Copper  Harbor, 
Lake  Superior,  Aug.  12,  1845,  was  read.  Dr.  J.  described 
a  large  block  of  native  copper  discovered  by  Major  Camp- 
bell on  the  lake  shore,  about  40  miles  west  of  Keweenan 
Point.  It  measured  3  feet  4  inches  in  length,  by  2  feet  5 
inches  in  width,  and  7  to  10  inches  in  thickness,  and  weighed 
about  2000  lbs.  Its  surface  is  deeply  cut  by  grooves  of 
abrasion,  and  is  covered  with  fine  drift  scratches.  It  was 
found  among  loose  blocks  of  sienite  on  the  beach,  nearly 
covered  by  gravel.  Dr.  J.  considered  it  to  be  a  valuable 
geological  specimen  illustrative  of  drift  phenomena. 

Dr.  J.  also  related  some  particulars  concerning  the  vein  of 
black  oxide  of  copper  near  Fort  Wilkins.  The  ore  occurs  in 
bunches  5  or  6  feet  long,  and  generally  S  inches  thick  in  the 
middle.  The  bunches  run  out  into  dead  vein-stone  of  cal- 
careous spar.  The  principal  ore  in  the  mine  was  stated  to 
be  the  black  siliceous  oxide,  mixed  with  or  covered  by  chry- 
socolla  or  green  hydrous  silicate  of  the  oxide  of  copper. 
Laumonite  and  analcime  abound  also  in  the  vein.  Dr.  Jack- 
son supposed  the  chemical  action  producing  the  various 
minerals  to  be  as  follows.  They  resulted  from  the  action  of 
lime  on  gelatinous  silicate  of  alumina.  The  oxide  of  copper 
was  precipitated  from  the  gelatinous  silicate  by  the  action 
of  lime,  and  black  silicate  resulted  from  the  influence  of 
heated  water,  while  green  silicate  formed  when  the  water 
was  cold  :  when  lime  predominated,  the  black  oxide  was 
precipitated  pure  ;  but  when  there  was  a  deficiency  of  it, 
the  silex  combined  with  the  oxide  of  copper.     Laumonite 

PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H,  8  OCT.    1845. 


68 


was  formed  by  the  combination  of  silica,  alumina  and  lime 
in  water.  The  laws  governing  this  action,  he  considered 
to  be  perfectly  obvious  to  the  chemist. 

A  letter  from  M.  Lienard,  dated  Port  Louis,  Mauritius, 
June  25,  1844,  recently  received  by  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Samuel,  was  read.  It  announced  that  M.  Lienard  had 
sent  by  Mr.  S.  specimens  of  Pedum,  and  a  head  of  the 
Histi'iophorus  iiidicus,  for  the  Society.  These  specimens, 
however,  were  not  forthcoming.  M.  L.  intimated  his  in- 
tention of  sending  a  box  of  shells,  and  several  of  his  own 
publications  concerning  the  meteorology  of  Mauritius. 

A  letter  from  Mr.  Tuomey,  containing  a  list  of  fossil  shells 
sent  by  him  to  the  Society,  was  read. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  elected  corresponding 
members  :  S.  C.  Clark,  Chicago,  Illinois ;  A.  Clapp,  New 
Albany,  Indiana. 

DONATIONS    TO   THE    CABINET. 

Fossils  from  Gay  Head.     From  J.  B.  S.  Jackson. 
A  box  of  fossil  shells,  from  the  tertiary  strata  near  Petersburg, 
Virginia.     From  M.  Tuomey. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Audubon  and  Bachman.  Quadrupeds  of  N.  America.  Plates 
50  to  55.     Subscribers. 

Ruschenberger's  First  Books  of  Natural  History.  From  the 
Author. 


SepL  17,  1845. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


A  letter  from  Rev.  Francis  Mason,  missionary  in  Tavoy, 
Burmah,  was  read.     It  contained  notices  of  the  Zoology  of 


59 


that  region,  and  particularly  of  the  habits,  localities,  &c.,  of 
the  animals  of  the  land  shells  formerly  sent  by  him,  of  which 
he  gave  also  the  native  names.  He  announced  that  he  had 
collected  a  number  of  species  not  previously  seen  by  him. 

A  letter  from  A.  G.  Salisbury,  dated  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
Sept.  4,  1845,  accompanying  specimens  of  sulphate  of  Hme, 
was  read.  The  specimens  were  described  to  be  artificial 
crystallizations  of  tiie  salt  of  lime  obtained  from  the  cisterns 
of  salt-works,  in  which  tlie  brine,  before  being  drawn  off  for 
evaporation,  is  settled  by  the  aid  of  steam.  They  adhere 
to  the  sides  of  the  cistern.  The  specimens  themselves  had 
not  arrived. 

Dr.  J.  Wyman  read  descriptions  and  presented  drawings 
of  two  species  of  Linguatula,  which  were  referred  to  the 
Publishing  Committee.     The  two  species  described  are  : 

Linguatula  armillata.  Body  cylindrical,  slightly  flattened 
on  its  anterior  face,  and  surrounded  by  about  20  distinct  rings, 
separated  from  each  other  by  a  wide  interval. 

From  the  intestines  of  PyUion  hivittata. 

L.  clavata.  Cylindrical,  largest  in  its  anterior  fourth,  dimin- 
ishing towards  the  tail  which  is  slightly  dilated.  Tegument  with 
indistinct  annuli,  not  imbricated,  and  deficient  at  both  extremities. 
Anus  terminal.  From  the  lungs  of  a  South  American  Boa.  It 
may  prove  to  be  Linguatula  suhcylindrica  of  Diesing. 

A  paper,  by  Dr.  Joseph  Leidy,  of  Philadelphia,  Cor- 
responding Member,  was  read  On  the  Existence  of  the  Sack 
of  the  Dart  and  of  the  Dart  in  several  Species  of  North 
American  pneumobranchiate  Mollusks.  It  was  referred  to 
the  Publishing  Committee. 

Dr.  Leidy  stated  that  he  had  recently  dissected  two  specimens 
of  Tehennophorus  caroUniensis,  in  which  he  had  the  good  fortune 
to  discover  the  sack  of  the  dart,  with  the  contained  dart. 
The  sack  was  found  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  neck  of  the 
oviduct  ^vith  the  spermatheca,  was  about  3  lines  long  and  2  in 
thickness,  muscular  in  structure,  and  lined  internally  with  mucous 


60 


membrane.  The  sack  is  the  ccecum  marked  g  in  Dr.  Wyman's 
plate  of  a  dissection  of  the  same  animal  published  in  the  Society's 
Journal.  On  the  bottom  of  the  sack,  in  both  individuals,  there 
was  a  papillary  eminence,  to  the  summit  of  which,  in  one  indi- 
vidual, was  attached  the  dart.  It  was  about  2  lines  in  length, 
shaped  like  a  cock's  spur,  the  point  being  bent  upwards  towards 
the  cavity  of  the  neck  of  the  oviduct.  It  is  hollow,  and  composed 
of  carbonate  of  lime,  effervescing  and  soluble  in  weak  chloro- 
hydric  acid. 

Dr.  Leidy  also  stated  that  he  had  repeatedly  seen  the  dart  in 
Planorbis  parvus,  but  had  sought  for  it  in  vain  in  other  species. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Collection  of  fossils  from  the  limestone  strata  near  Louisville, 
Ky.     From  Jedediah  Cohb,  31.  D.,  Louisville. 

Fossils  from  the  upper  Missouri.    From  T.  Sprague,  Hingham. 

Two  shrew  moles,  Scalops  aquaticus  ;  one  in  while  pelage. 
From  Joseph  Barratt,  M.  D.,  Middletown,  Conn. 


October  I,  1845. 
Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  Jun.,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  read  a  paper  on  the  fossil  bones  of 
Mastodon  giganteus,  disinterred  from  a  marl  pit  on 
Schooley's  Mountain,  New  Jersey,  and  now  exhibiting  in 
this  city. 

Dr.  Jackson  remarked,  that  the  locality  where  the  bones  were 
procured,  is  fully  described  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Society,  D  c,  1844.  The  chief  point  of  interest 
is  the  mounted  skeleton,  this  being  far  more  perfect  than  any 
that  has  yet  been  seen,  though  less  so,  it  is  said,  and  altogether 
less  interesting,  than  the  one  now  exhibited  in  New  York  ;  the 
feet,  the  sternum  and  a  few  of  the  caudal  vertebrae  only  are 


61 


wanting.  Several  skeletons  were  found  in  the  same  bog,  and, 
according  to  the  owners  who  dug  them  out,  and  who  are  evidently 
trustwortiiy  men,  they  were  all  found  lying  in  a  confused  state, 
except  the  one  in  question,  which  was  found  at  some  distance 
from  the  others,  upon  its  side,  the  bones  being  in  a  natural  and 
undisturbed  position.  Supposing,  then,  that  all  the  bones  belonged 
to  the  same  individual,  and,  also,  from  the  soundness  of  their 
structure,  that  none  of  the  larger  vertebra)  are  wanting,  this  speci- 
men shows  what  seems  never  before  to  have  been  observed,  the 
true  number  of  the  dorsal  vertebrce  in  Mastodon  giganteus, 
Cuvier  remarked  (Ossemens  Fossiles)  that  there  were  19,  but 
perhaps,  said  he,  one  may  be  wanting,  and  then  the  number  would 
be  the  same  as  in  the  elephant ;  now  in  the  present  case  there  are 
just  20.  The  skeleton  of  the  so  called  Missourium  has  been  re- 
constructed under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Owen,  and  put  up  in  the 
British  Museum  as  that  of  a  Mastodon,  and,  from  the  full-length 
drawing  which  Mr.  Lyell  had  made  of  it,  and  which  he  has  recently 
brought  out  with  him  to  use  in  his  lectures  before  the  Lowell 
Institute,  it  appears  that  on  the  left  side,  this  being  the  front 
view,  there  are  but  18  ribs,  these  last,  in  a  perfect  skeleton,  of 
course,  determining  the  number  of  the  dorsal  vertebra?.  Of  the 
cervical  vertebra?  of  the  skeleton  now  here,  there  are  7,  of  the 
lumbar  3,  of  the  sacral  3,  and  of  the  caudal  23,  besides  those 
that  are  wanting,  the  tail  probably  descending  to  the  knee-joint 
or  below  it,  and  being  considerably  longer  than  it  is  represented 
in  the  drawing  above  referred  to.  The  length  from  the  inter- 
maxillaries  to  the  pelvis,  inclusive,  is  14  feet,  and  the  greatest 
height  10  feet  8  inches  ;  but  much  allowance  must  be  made  for 
these  measurements.  The  skeleton  is  that  of  a  young  adult,  and, 
from  the  small  size  of  the  proper  tusks,  and  the  absence  of  any 
in  the  lower  jaw,  the  individual  was  probably  a  female,  the  length 
of  the  tusks  beyond  the  intermaxillaries  being  25  inches,  and  the 
greatest  circumference  11  inches.  A  curious  fact  is  mentioned 
by  the  owners,  that,  about  in  the  situation  of  the  stomach,  a  bushel 
or  more  of  small  twigs,  about  an  inch  in  length,  were  found,  most 
of  which  fell  into  a  powder  on  exposure  to  the  air,  though  a  small 
specimen  was  preserved,  and  may  be  seen  in  the  collection  ;  the 
same  has  been  observed  in  some  other  cases. 

There  are  also  in  the  collection  two  other  crania  which  are 
immature,  but  perfect,  except  the  tusks,  and  of  these  Dr.  J.  gave 


62 


the  measurements  and  the  internal  capacity,  this  last  being  282 
cubic  inches  in  one,  and  287  in  the  other  ;  the  cranium  of  an 
African  elephant,  in  the  Society's  Cabinet,  measured  338  inches. 
The  next  specimen  noticed  was  the  lower  jaw  of  a  young  indi- 
vidual, showing  the  alveoli  for  the  inferior  tusks,  20  lines  in 
depth,  and  about  f  of  an  inch  in  diameter  at  the  outlet. 

Prof.  Owen  states  that  in  the  M.  giganieus  the  first  and  second 
molars  have  two  ridges,  the  third  and  fourth  have  three,  and  the 
last  has  four  or  five,  {Annals  of  Nat.  Hist.  vol.  xi.) ;  and  it  may  be 
inferred  that  he  regards  five  as  the  whole  number  of  teeth.  Now, 
the  present  collection  demonstrates  that,  in  the  lower  jaw  at  least, 
the  true  number  is  six,  the  two  first  having  two  perfect  ridges,  the 
three  next  having  three,  and  the  last  four,  with  a  marked  talon,  or 
single  point  at  the  posterior  extremity.  The  lower  jaw  of  the 
calf,  with  the  three  others  belonging  to  the  crania  above  men- 
tioned and  to  the  skeleton,  form  a  series  in  which  the  correspond- 
ing teeth  are  satisfactorily  made  out,  and,  as  the  calf  had  never 
shed  one,  and  the  skeleton  had  evidently  got  its  last,  we  may  be 
sure  that  we  have  the  whole  number.  In  the  calf  there  are  three 
teeth,  and  one  in  the  socket,  the  first  measuring  \^  inches  in 
length  and  |  of  an  inch  transversely  ;  with  regard  to  the  second 
tooth,  it  should  be  stated  that,  besides  the  two  proper  ridges,  there 
is  a  third  which  should  perhaps  be  included,  though  imperfectly 
developed,  and  having  no  corresponding  fang.  The  youngest 
cranium  has  two  teeth  with  three  ridges,  and  one  in  the  sockets, 
the  oldest  three,  with  three  ridges  on  the  right  side,  and  one  in  the 
socket,  the  left  anterior  having  fallen  out ;  and  the  skeleton  one 
with  three  ridges,  and  one  with  four  and  a  talon,  this  last  tooth 
being  6f-  inches  in  length.  The  upper  molars  correspond  with 
those  in  the  lower  jaw,  so  far  as  observed,  but  as  the  cranium  of 
the  calf  was  not  procured,  the  existence  of  the  two  first  teeth  can 
only  be  inferred.  Amongst  the  loose  bones  which  make  up  the 
remainder  of  this  collection,  is  a  three-ridged  tooth,  evidently 
from  the  socket,  as  it  is  not  at  all  worn,  showing  the  formation  of 
the  crown  before  the  fangs  have  begun  to  develop.  Two  styloid 
bones  arc  also  seen,  about  8  inches  in  length,  and  these  have  never 
before  been  observed,  so  far  as  Dr.  J.  is  aware. 

A  very  large  tooth  of  a  Mastodon^  brought  from  Burmah, 
now  in  the  Society's  Collection,  has  seven  distinct  ridges  and  a 
talon. 


63 


A  letter  from  James  Brown,  Esq.,  accompanying  a  box  of 
British  moths  presented  by  Mrs.  B.  F.  Foster,  was  read. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

A  box  of  British  moths.  Collected  and  presented  by  Mrs.  B. 
F.  Foster,  of  Chelsea,  England,  through  James  Brown,  Esq. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Hooker,  W.  J.  Species  Filicum.  Parts  i.  ii.  iii.  8vo. 
London.      Courtis  Fund. 

Lyell,  Ch.  Travels  in  North  America.  2  vols.  12mo. 
From  the  same. 

Transactions  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  London.  2  parts. 
From  the  Entomol.  Society. 

Catalogue  of  the  Shells  of  the  United  States,  in  the  Cabinet  of 
C.  M.  Wheatley.     12mo  pamphlet.     From  the  Author. 


October  15,  1845. 

D.  H.  Storer,  M.  D.,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  S.  Cabot,  Jun.,  stated  that  a  specimen  of  Silvia  agilis, 
Wilson,  a  bird  not  known  to  have  been  met  with  before  in 
this  State,  had  been  shot  at  Brookhne. 

The  second  part  of  the  fifth  volume  of  the  Society's  Journal 
was  announced  to  have  been  published,  and  copies  were 
placed  on  the  table. 

A  list  of  the  species  of  the  short-tailed  crabs,  Dec^poda 
BRACHYURA,  in  the  coliection  made  by  Mr.  Bartlett  on  the  South- 
ern shores  of  the  peninsula  of  Florida,  between  Cape  Florida  and 
Charlotte   Harbor,  and   the   adjacent  keys,  as  prepared  by  Dr. 


64 


Lewis  R.  Gibbes,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  was  transmitted  by  Dr. 
Binney.  The  list  is  made  in  aid  of  our  knowledge  of  the  geo- 
graphical distribution  of  the  Crustaceans. 


Mithrax  hispidus,  Plerbst, 

"        sculptus,  Lam., 
Zantho  mercenaria,  Say, 
Lupea  Seboe,  M.  Edwards, 

"       dicantha.  Leach, 
Dromia  lator,  Parra, 
Albunea  symnista,  Fab., 
Grapsus  lividus,  M.  Edwards, 

"        cruentatus,  Lat., 
Ranilia  muricata,  M.  Edwards, 
Eriphia  gonagra.  Fab., 


Pericera  cornuta,  Herbst, 
"         bicornuta,  Lat., 
Sesarma  cinerea,  Bosc, 

"         Pisonii,  M.  Edwards, 
Calappa  marmorata.  Fab., 
Ocypoda  arenaria,  Lat., 
Panopeus  Herbstii,  M.  Edwards, 
Hepatus  fasciatus,  Say, 
Libinia  dubia,  M.  Edwards, 
Gelasimus  vocans.  Say, 
Cardisoma  guanhumi,  Marg., 


Chorinus  heros,  Herbst, 

together  with  several  other  undetermined  species. 

Drs.  Gould  and  Cabot  were  appointed  a  Committee  to 
consider  the  expediency  of  memoriahzing  the  Navy  Depart- 
ment on  the  subject  of  employing  a  naturalist  on  board  the 
vessel  commissioned  for  the  survey  of  the  coast  of  Oregon 
and  Columbia  River. 

Joseph  Barratt,  M.  D.,  of  Middletown,  Conn.,  was  elected 
a  corresponding  member. 


ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Cuvier,  G.  Lecons  d' Anatomic  Comparee.  2d  edit.  Paris. 
tome  8.     Courtis  Fund. 

Virlet  D'Aoust.  Memoire  sur  les  filons  en  general.  Pamph. 
8vo.     Paris,  184L     From  the  Author. 

Virlet  d'Aoust.  Notes  sur  quelques  Phenomenes  de  Deplace- 
mens  dans  les  Rochers,  etc.,  etc.  Pamph.  8vo.  Paris,  184L 
From  the  same. 

Jacquemont,  Victor.  Voyage  dans  I'lnde  pendant  les  annees 
1828  a  184L     6  tomes.     4lo.     Paris,  184L     Auduhon  Fund. 


65 

November  5,  1845. 

The  President  in  the  Chair. 

A  communication  from  Prof.  Jeffries  Wyman,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  fossil  skeleton  recently  exhibited  in  New  York  as 
that  of  a  sea-serpent  under  the  name  of  Hydrarchos  Silli- 
mani,  was  read. 

Prof.  Wyman  stated  that,  during  a  recent  visit  to  New  York, 
he  had  an  opportunity  of  examining  the  fossil  remains  exhibited 
in  Broadway  under  the  name  of  Hydrarchos  Sillimani,  and  pur- 
porting to  be  those  of  an  extinct  marine  serpent.  These  remains 
consist  of  a  head  and  vertebral  column,  measuring  in  all  114  feet, 
of  a  few  ribs  attached  to  the  thoracic  portion  of  the  latter,  and 
of  parts  of  supposed  paddles. 

I.  The  head.  This  is  five  feet  seven  inches  long,  or  one  twenti- 
eth of  the  entire  length  of  the  whole  animal.  That  part  purport- 
ing to  be  the  cranium  proper,  and  which  serves  more  especially 
to  protect  the  brain,  consists  apparently  of  a  single  bone,  and  is 
destitute  of  any  visible  sutures,  is  a  little  more  than  one  foot  long, 
about  five  inches  wide,  and  has,  attached  laterally  by  cement, 
two  bones  forming  incomplete  zygomatic  arches.  Inferiorly  it  is 
so  much  covered  with  cement  that  little  or  nothing  can  be  seen 
of  its  surface.  Posteriorly  there  are  no  condyles,  nor  any  fora- 
men for  the  passage  of  the  spinal  marrow  ;  in  fact,  no  foramina 
are  anywhere  visible.  This  absence  of  sutures  and  foramina 
naturally  leads  to  the  supposition  that  it  is  not  the  true  cranium, 
but  may  be  some  bone  or  fragment  not  in  its  natural  position. 
The  size  of  the  supposed  cranium  is  obviously  too  small  for 
lodging  the  brain  of  an  animal  114  feet  long,  inasmuch  as  its 
cavity,  if  it  had  one,  could  exceed  but  little  that  of  the  spinal 
canal  which  is  visible  in  some  of  the  vertebrae.  The  upper  jaw 
is  narrow  and  elongated,  so  that  the  whole  head,  with  its  broad 
zygomatic  arches,  has  something  of  the  general  outline  of  that  of 
an  Ichthyosaurus.  The  jaw  has  been  crushed  by  violence,  as  is 
obvious  from  the  broken  edges  of  the  pieces  ;  and,  in  one  instance 
at  least,  a  fragment,  containing  a  tooth,  is  in  an  inverted  position. 

PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    II.  9  NOV.     1845. 


66 


These  are  all  held  together  by  the  natural  matrix  in  which  the 
whole  was  originally  imbedded.  Near  the  union  of  the  upper 
jaw  with  the  cranium,  are  some  sutures,  but  not  sufficiently  ex- 
posed to  enable  one  to  identify  them.  At  the  tip  of  the  jaw, 
there  is  a  fragment  of  bone  without  teeth  or  alveoli,  and  differing 
in  the  appearance  of  its  texture  from  the  bones  adjoining;  this  is, 
probably,  a  fragment  which  has  found  its  way  to  its  present  lo- 
cality by  accident,  and  is  retained  there  by  the  matrix.  The 
lower  jaw  corresponds  with  the  upper  in  its  elongated  form,  but 
the  condyles  and  processes  are  wanting. 

The  teeth,  organs  of  great  innportance  in  determining  the 
natural  affinities  of  any  animal,  are  many  of  them  in  a  complete 
state  of  preservation,  and  some  so  completely  exposed  as  to  be 
studied  with  great  ease.  Through  Dr.  Koch's  kindness.  Prof.  W. 
was  enabled  to  give  them  a  satisfactory  examination.  The 
crowns  are  laterally  compressed,  of  a  somewhat  triangular  form, 
but  deeply  indented  on  the  edges,  and  all  which  were  sufficiently 
exposed  for  examination,  were  implanted  into  the  douhle  alveoli 
of  the  jaw  ly  means  of  douhle  roots.  Here  is  the  most  positive 
evidence  that  the  individual  to  which  they  belonged  was  no 
reptile,  but  a  warm-blooded,  mammiferous  animal ;  for,  according 
to  the  odontological  rule,  no  animal  not  mammiferous  ever  pos- 
sesses a  tooth  with  double  roots,  implanted  into  double  alveoli  or 
sockets.  The  teeth  of  sharks  are  no  exception,  for,  although 
there  exists  in  them  an  approximation  to  a  double  root,  they  are 
attached  to  the  jaw  by  ligament  only. 

II.  Vertebral  column.  This  consists  of  a  series  of  bones  which 
could  never  have  belonged  to  the  same  individual,  as  is  obvious 
from  the  fact  that  they  manifest  different  degrees  of  ossification, 
and  must,  therefore,  have  belonged  to  individuals  of  different 
ages.  The  plates  attached  to  the  extremities  cf  the  bodies  of  the 
vertebree  are,  in  some  instances,  perfecdy  coossified,  in  others 
not,  or,  in  some  cases,  detached,  leaving  the  imperfectly  ossified 
surface  exposed.  In  some  of  the  vertebral  bones  the  spinal  canal 
is  represented  by  a  cast  of  its  cavity,  which,  as  already  stated, 
would  nearly  equal  the  diameter  of  that  of  the  supposed  cranium, 
which  it  could  never  do  in  a  warm-blooded  animal,  especially  a 
cetacean,  where  the  brain  acquires  a  high  degree  of  development. 
The  bodies  of  the  vertebrae  and  the  ai'ticulating  processes,  do  not 


67 


present  any  of  the  characters  of  an  ophidian  reptile,  the  ball  and 
socket  joint  of  the  bodies  and  the  double  articulating  processes 
being  in  all  cases  wanting.  The  processes  of  the  vertebra?,  how- 
ever, are  in  general  so  imperfect,  that  this  last  assertion  must  be 
taken  with  some  limitation.  It  is  also  worthy  of  notice  that  some 
of  the  vertebra?  have  the  appearance  of  having  been  imbedded  in 
a  matrix,  while  others  are  so  clean  and  comparatively  recent  in 
their  appearance,  that  it  seems  impossible  that  they  should  have 
been  thus  imbedded. 

III.  Rihs.  These  are  few  in  number,  and  are  not  supposed 
to  be  anything  more  than  an  incomplete  set.  Some  of  the  more 
perfect  ones  present  two  articulating  surfaces,  one  at  the  head 
and  the  other  at  the  tubercle,  like  those  of  most  animals,  but 
entirely  unlike  those  of  the  serpents.  They  are  remarkable  for 
their  flattened,  club-shaped  extremities,  to  which  there  is,  however, 
something  analogous  in  the  herbivorous  cetaceans. 

IV.  Paddles.  These  are  composed  of  two  kinds  of  pieces  ; 
one  of  which  possibly  consists  of  the  long  bones,  naturally  form- 
ing a  part  of  an  anterior  extremity  ;  but  which  he  could  not  identify 
on  a  cursory  examination.  The  other  pieces  consist  not  of  bones, 
b'Jt  of  casts  of  the  cavities  of  a  camerated  shell,  a  species  of 
Nautilus,  of  which  specimens,  brought  from  the  State  of  Ala- 
bama, and  now  in  the  Cabinet  of  the  Academy  of  Natural 
Sciences,  were  shown  to  Prof.  W.  by  Dr.  Morton,  of  Philadelphia. 
These  could  not  fail  to  strike  the  eye  at  a  glance,  M'hen  examined 
by  any  one  acquainted  with  the  forms  of  fossil  nautiloid  shells. 

From  the  facts  above  stated.  Prof.  Wyman  considered  it  to  be 
evident  to  those  who  have  any  acquaintance  with  fossil  osteology, 
1st,  that  these  remains  have  never  belonged  to  one  and  the  same 
individual ;  2d,  that  the  anatomical  characters  of  the  teeth  indi- 
cate that  they  are  not  those  of  a  reptile,  but  of  a  warm-blooded 
mammal. 

As  to  the  precise  species  to  which  they  belonged,  it  is  not  so 
easy  to  decide.  The  late  Dr.  Harlan,  of  Philadelphia,  to  whom 
the  fossil  osteologist  is  so  much  indebted,  several  years  since, 
described  some  bones  and  a  portion  of  a  jaw,  brought  from  Ala- 
bama, which  he  considered  as  those  of  a  reptile,  and  to  which  he 
gave  the  name  of  Basilosaiirits,  believing  that  they  belonged  to 
a  gigantic  Saurian.    The  subsequent  examinations  of  Prof.  Owen, 


68 


however,  demonstrated  that  they  were  not  saurian  but  cetacean 
bones,  and  he  gave  to  them  the  name  of  Zeiiglodon  ceii,  the 
generic  name  being  derived  from  the  peculiar  form  of  the  teeth, 
which  consist  of  two  roots  yoked  together  by  the  crown.  The 
crowns  of  the  teeth  which  fell  under  the  observation  of  Prof. 
Owen,  were  imperfect,  and  it  is  therefore  impossible  to  say  how 
far  they  are  identical  with  those  of  the  animal  of  which  we  have 
been  speaking.  The  latter  do,  however,  present  a  complete  re- 
semblance to  the  teeth  described  and  figured  by  Prof.  Gibbes,  of 
Columbia,  S.  C,  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural 
Sciences,  for  June,  1845,  under  the  name  of  Dorudon  serratus. 
These  last  have  been  compared  by  Prof.  G.  with  those  of  a 
Zeuglodon  at  Albany,  in  the  State  Cabinet,  and  in  speaking  of 
them,  he  says,  "  I  was  much  struck  with  the  similarity  in  their 
general  characters  with  those  of  Dorudon."  "  The  teeth  of  the 
Zeuglodon  are  solid,  of  a  dense  structure  and  very  strong,  and 
resembling  those  of  the  cetacea  ;  while  the  liollowness  of  those  of 
the  Borudon  approximate  it  to  the  saurians."  Other  differences 
of  less  importance  are  referred  to  by  Prof.  G.  The  Hydrarclws 
and  Dorudon  are  unquestionably  members  of  the  same  genus  ; 
and  if  the  bones  at  Albany  are  those  of  the  Zeuglodon^  it  is 
highly  probable  that  it  is  to  this  genus  that  the  preceding  must  be 
referred.  The  character  of  "  hollowness"  does  not  appear  to  be 
sufficient  to  establish  generic  distinctions,  unless  it  can  be  shown 
that  it  is  not  the  result  of  imperfect  development,  or  that  it  is  not 
the  consequence  of  the  ossification  of  the  teeth  being  incom- 
plete. We  have  not,  as  yet,  a  perfect  series  of  the  teeth  of  the 
Zeuglodon^  and  are  therefore  ignorant  what  are  the  varieties  of 
form  which  such  a  series  would  present  in  different  parts  of  the 
same  jaw.  The  figures  and  descriptions  of  Prof.  Gibbes  are  of 
great  value,  being  the  only  perfect  representations  of  individual 
teeth  which  have  as  yet  appeared,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  his 
future  researches  may  enable  him  to  complete  the  osteological 
description  of  these  interesting  remains. 

A  connmunication  vi^as  received  from  Lewis  R.  Gibbes, 
M.  D.,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  enclosing  a  Catalogue  of  the 
species  of  Crustaceans  contained  in  the  Cabinet  of  this  So- 
ciety, as  recently  examined  and  determined  by  him.     Viz. 


69 


CATALOGUE 


Of  the  Collection  of  Crustaceans  in  the  Cabinet  of  the  Boston 
Society  of  Natural  History.     Sept.  1,  1845. 


PODOPHTHALMIA.     Decapoda. 


BRACHYURA. 


OXYRHINCA. 


I.  Stenorhyncus,  Lam, 

1.  plxalangium^  Penn. 

II.  Inachus.  Leach. 

2.  Scorpio^  F'ab. 

3.  thoracicits,  Roux,  male. 

III.  Libinia,  Leach. 

4.  canaliculata,  Sat/,  male  and  fern. 

5.  dubia,  M.  Edw. 

IV.  Pisa,  Leach. 

6.  telraodon,  Pcnn.,  4  males,  1  fem. 

V.  Periccra,  Lat. 

7.  cornuta,  Parra  ? 

8.  bicornuia,  Lat. 

VI.  Lissa,  Leacli. 

9.  Jissirostra,  Say,  male. 


VII.  Maia,  Lam. 

10.  verrucosa,  31.  Edw.,  female 

VIII.  Miihrax,  Leach. 

11.  hispldu.s,  Herbst. 

IX.  Chorinus,  Leach. 

12.  heros,  Herbst. 

X.  Acanlhonyx,  Lat. 

13.  lunulatus,  Lat.,  male. 

XI.  Lambrus,  Leach. 

14.  mediterraneus,  Rou.t,  male. 

15.  long-imanus,  L.,  male. 

XII.  Crypiopodia,  M.  Edw. 

16.  fornicata,  Fab.,  male. 


CYCLOMETOPA. 


XIII.  Carpilius,  Leach. 

17.  coralliniLS,  Pabr.,  male  and  f. 

XIV.  Xantho,  Leach. 

18.  mercenaria,  Say. 

XV.  Pseudocarcinus,  M.  Edw. 

19.  Ruviphii,  Pabr. 

XVI.  Plaiycarcinus,  Lat. 

20.  irroratus,  Say,  male  and  fem. 

XVII.  Eriphia,  Latr. 

21.  spinifrons,  Herbst,  m.  and  fem. 

22.  gonagra,  Pabr.,  male  and  fem. 

XVII I.  Panopeus,  M.  Edw. 

23.  Hcrbstii,  M.  Edw. 


XIX.  Carcinus,  Leach. 

24.  mcEnas,  Baster,  male  and  fem. 

XX.  P]at}-onichus,  Lat. 

2.5.  ocellalus,  Herbst,  male 

XXI.  Portunus,  Fab. 

26.  Rondelelii,  Risso,  male. 

27.  corruiratus,  Penn.^m.  and  fem, 

25.  pUcatus,  Risso,  male  and  fem. 

XXII.  Lupea,  Leach. 

29.  tranqucburica,  Fab.  male. 

30.  Sebcc,  M.  Edw. 

31.  dicantha,  Lat. 


CATOMETOPA. 


XXIII.  Thelphusa,  Lat. 

32.  indica,  Lat.,  male  and  female. 

XXIV.  Cardisoma,  Lat. 

33.  guankumi,  Lat.,  male. 

XXV.  Boscia,  M.  Edw. 

34.  dentata,  Lat.,  female. 

XXVI.  Grapsus,  Lam. 

35.  pictiis,  Lat.,  male  and  female. 

36.  varius,  Lat.,  female. 

37.  cruentatus,  Lat. 
3S.  lividus,  M.  Edw. 


XXVII.  Gecarcinus,  Lat. 

39.  ruricnla,  L.,  male. 

40.  lateralis,  Preni.,  female. 

XXVIII.  Gelasimus,  Lat. 

41.  rocans,  Lat.,  male  and  female. 
XXIX    Ocypoda,  Fab. 

42.  arenaria,  Latr.,  male  and  fem. 

43.  rhombea.  Fab.,  female. 
XXX.  Gonoplax,  Leach. 

44.  rhomboides,  Fab.,  male. 


70 


XXXI.  Sesarma,  Say. 

45.  Pisonii,  M.  Edtc,  female. 

46.  qfricana  ?,  M.  Edw.,  m.  and  f. 

47.  cinerea,  Bosc. 


XXXII.  Plagusia,  Lat. 

48.  squamosa,  Herbst,  male. 

XXXIII.  Nautilograpsus,  M.  Edw. 

49.  minutus,  'F'ab.,  male  and  fern. 


OXYSTOMA. 


XXXIV.  Calappa,  Fab. 

50.  granulata,  Li.,  male  and  fem. 

51.  marmorata.  Fab. 

XXXV.  Dorippe,  Fab. 

52.  lanata,  Bosc,  male. 

XXXVI.  Flatymera,  M.  Edw. 

53.  Gaudichaudii,  M.  Edw.,  f.  y'ng. 


XXXVII.  Leucosia,  Fab. 

54.  craniolaris,  L.,  female. 
XXXV^III.  Cymopolia,  Roux. 

55.  Caronii,  Roit:v,  male  and  fem. 
XXXIX.  Hepatus,  Lat. 

56.  fosciatiis,  Liot.,  male. 
XL.  Ilia,  Leach. 

57.  nucleus,  Herbst,  male  and  fem. 


ANOMOURA. 


XLI.  Dromia,  Fab. 

58.  vulgaris,  M.  Edw.,  m.  and  f. 

59.  lator,  Parra. 
XLII.  Lilhodes. 

60.  arctica,  Lam. 
XLIII.  Remipes,  Lat. 

61.  tcstudinarius. 
XLIV.  Ranilia,  M.  Edw.- 

62.  muricata,  M.  Edw. 
XLV.  Albunea,  Fab. 

63.  symnista.  Fab. 


XL VI.  Hippa,  Fab. 

64.  emerlta,  L. 
XLVII.  Pagurus,  Fab. 

65.  Bernhardus,  L. 

66.  granulatus,  O'ivier. 

67.  longicarpus,  Say, 

68.  pollicaris,  Say. 
XLVIII.  Cenobita,  Lat. 

69.  Dio.srenes,  Lat. 


MACROURA. 


XLIX.  Scyllarus,  Fab. 

70.  sculptus.  Lam.  ' 
L.  Thenus,  Leach. 

71.  orientalis,  Fab. 
LI.  Palinurus,  Fab. 

72.  vulgaris,  Lat. 

73.  argus,  Lat. 
LII.  Astacus,  Fab. 

74.  Bartonii,  Fab. 

75.  ajfinis,  Say. 
LIII.  Crangon,  Fab. 

76.  septemspinosus.  Say. 

77.  cataphr actus,  Oliv. 


LIV.  Sicyonia,  M.  Edw. 

78.  sculpt  a,  M.  Edw. 
LV.  Galathea,  Fab. 

79.  squavimifcra,  Leach. 
LVl.  Palemon,  Fab. 

80.  carcinus.  Fab. 

81.  jamaiccnsis,  Herbst. 

82.  scrratus,  Pcnn. 

83.  squilla,  L. 

84.  locusta,  Fab. 
LVII.  Peneus,  Lat. 

85.  caramote,  Rlsso. 

86.  setiferus,  L. 


PODOPHTHALMIA.     Stomapoda. 


[II. 

Squilla,  Fab. 

LIX.  Gonodactylus,  Lat 

87. 

scabricauda,  Lat. 

91.  scyllarus,  Fab. 

88. 

mantis. 

92.  chirugra,  Fab. 

89. 

dubia,  M.  Edw. 

90. 

Desmarestii,  Risso. 

The  specimens  labelled  as  Remipes  tcstudinarius,  Albunea  sijmnista,  and  Gono- 
dactylus scyllarus,  agree  in  general  with  the  descriptions  given  by  M.  Edwards 
under  those  names,  but  differ  in  several  particulars. 

There  are  also  in  the  Cabinet  several  undetermined,  and  probably  undescribed, 
forms. 


71 


Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  made  some  remarks  on  a  living  specimen 
of  Torpedo  occidentalism  tiie  C7'amp-fish  or  torpedo. 

Dr.  Storer  stated  that,  since  the  last  meeting  of  the  Society,  a 
living  specimen  of  the  cramp-fish  or  torpedo,  Torpedo  occiden- 
dentalis,  had  been  exhibited  here,  and  that  he,  with  Dr.  J.  B.  S. 
Jackson,  had  had  an  opportunity  of  testing  its  electrical  properties. 
He  visited  it  while  it  was  still  in  the  well  of  the  vessel  in  which 
it  had  been  brought  here,  and  it  gave,  when  lifted  upon  the  wet 
deck,  a  very  distinct  shock.  This  shock  was  scarcely  perceived 
if  the  fish  was  quiet  ;  it  was  most  marked  when  the  portion 
directly  over  the  electrical  organs  was  excited.  The  most  power- 
ful effect  was  produced  by  seizing  the  tail  with  one  hand,  and 
grasping  that  portion  of  the  pectoral  fins  which  was  supplied 
with  nerves  from  the  fifth  pair  ;  here,  quite  a  shock  was  perceived 
in  the  arms  as  high  as  the  elbows.  If  such  effects  are  produced 
when  the  fish  is  removed  from  its  native  element,  Dr.  S.  did  not 
doubt  that,  when  struck  by  a  harpoon  while  in  the  water,  it  might 
have  the  power  to  benumb  perfectly,  but  temporarily,  the  arms 
of  the  fisherman  employed  in  its  capture.  This  fish  was  seen 
near  the  shore  at  Provincetown,  the  latter  part  of  October,  ap- 
parently benumbed  ;  and  a  rope  being  attached  to  its  tail,  it  was 
readily  dragged  on  shore.  Although  this  is  undoubtedly  a  south- 
ern fish,  Dr.  S.  had  never  known  it  to  be  taken  on  the  eastern  coast 
of  Cape  Cod,  or,  in  other  words,  out  of  Cape  Cod  Bay.  It  appears 
to  have  been  seen,  as  yet,  only  on  ihe  eastern  shore  of  CaJDe  Cod 
Bay,  between  Provincetown  Harbor  and  Orleans,  an  extent  of 
about  thirty  miles  :  and  is  found  in  greater  numbers  upon  the  east- 
ern shore  of  Long-point,  a  small  neck  of  land,  west  of  the  town  of 
Provincetown,  than  at  any  other  place.  Capt.  Atwood  informed 
Dr.  S.  that  at  least  a  dozen  specimens  have  been  taken  there  this 
season,  from  the  early  part  of  September  to  this  date,  Nov.  1st. 
At  Wellfleet  they  are  found,  but  not  in  such  numbers  ;  and  Dr.  S. 
had  heard  of  a  specimen  having  been  taken  at  Orleans.  Capt.  At- 
wood has  known  only  two  specimens  to  have  been  taken  with  the 
hook,  while  fishing  for  other  species.  They  are  almost  always 
met  with  just  at  the  margin  of  the  shore,  and  are  taken  mostly 
for  the  sake  of  the  oil  in  their  livers. 

Dr.  Storer  also  observed  that  he  had  received,  through 


72 


the  politeness  of  Dr.  Wheatland,  of  Salem,  the  specimen  of 
Batistes,  belonging  to  the  Salem  Natural  History  Society, 
which  was  taken  there  in  August,  of  the  present  year.  It 
proves  to  be  the  Batistes  awantiacus,  Mitchill.  Dr.  S. 
had  never  known  a  specimen  to  be  taken  before  in  the 
waters  of  Massachusetts.  He  exhibited  a  drawing  of  a 
specimen  taken  by  Dr.  Bates  in  Portland  harbor,  Me.,  and, 
of  course,  knew  that  it  must  have  passed  through  our  waters, 
it  being  a  southern  species.  He  also  exhibited  a  drawing  of 
this  specimen  (taken  at  Salem). 

J.  C.  Fremont,  Esq.,  U.  S.  Army,  was  elected  a  cor- 
responding member. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Marl  fossils,  viz.,  Planorhis  'parvus^  campan7ilahis,  and  hicari- 
Jiatus,  Physa  ancillaria^  Limnea  galbana,  Paludina  decisa,  and 
limosa,  all  of  Say  ;  and  Vahata  bicarinata,  Lea,  with  a  Cyclas^ 
from  White  Pond,  Warren  Co.,  N.  J.     From  /.  Leidy,  M.  D. 

Numcnius  liudsonicas.     From  Dr.  Cabot. 

Corvus  picus,  L.,  from  N.  W.  of  ]\Iichigan,  and  Bombycivora 
gan'ulus,  from  Cleveland.  From  W.  Case,  Esq.  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio. 

Lymnea  emarginata.  Say,  and  L.  jiigidaris,  Say,  Paludina 
ponderosa.,  Say,  Unio  IcEvissima,  triangularis,  and  formosa, 
Alasmidonta  corrugata.     From  Lake  Superior.     From  the  same. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Adams,  C.  B.  First  Annual  Report  on  the  Geology  of  the 
State  of  Vermont.  8vo,  pp.  90.  Burlington,  1845.  From  the 
Author. 

Phillips,  John.  A  Treatise  on  Geology.  12mo.  Edinburg, 
1837.      Courtis  Fund. 

De  La  Beche,  H.  T.  A  Geological  Manual.  8vo.  Phila- 
delphia, 1832.      Courtis  Fund. 

Gray,  G.  R.    Genera  of  Birds.    No.  18.    Folio.     Courtis  Fund. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  No.  105,  Oct., 
1845.     Same. 


73 


The  Literary  Record  and  Journal  of  the  Linnean  Association 
of  Pennsylvania  College.  No.  12.  8vo  pamph.  Oct.,  1845. 
From  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird. 


'-•   A    r.     M  ri-.-T'.     T^--^: 


A 


November  19,  1845. 

A.  A.  Gould,  M.  D.,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  read  a  description  of  a  new  species  of 
Syngnathits,  brought  from  the  western  coast  of  California 
by  Capt.  Phelps. 

Syngnathus  californiensis.  Reddish  brown,  lighter  beneath  : 
the  lower  portion  of  the  sides  irregularly  dashed  with  white  ;  19 
transverse  plates  anterior  to  the  vent,  and  47  plates  posterior  to 
it.  From  the  tip  of  the  tubular  mouth  to  the  posterior  edge  of 
the  operculum,  the  length  is  rather  more  than  one  seventh  the 
length  of  the  fish.  The  greatest  depth  of  the  jaws  is  rather  less 
than  one  half  the  depth  of  the  head.  The  dorsal  fin  commences 
on  the  anterior  third  of  the  body,  and  the  height  of  its  rays  is 
less  than  one  third  the  depth  of  the  body. 

D.  42  ;  P.  13  ;  A.  3  ;  0.  10. 

Mr.  J.  E.  Teschemacher  made  some  remarks  on  a  collec- 
tion of  Russian  minerals  lately  presented  to  the  Society  by 
Charles  Cramer,  Esq.,  of  St.  Petersburg.  He  pronounced 
the  specimens  to  be  interesting  and  to  constitute  a  valuable 
addition  to  the  Society's  collection. 

Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  Jun.,  exhibited  a  specimen  of  Pica 
melanoleuca,  magpie,  from  the  North-West  part  of  Michi- 
gan, presented  to  the  Society  at  the  last  meeting. 

Having  been  struck  with  some  apparent  differences  in  the 
measurements  of  this  specimen  and  European  specimens  of  the 
same  bird,  Dr.  Cabot  had  instituted  a  careful  comparison  between 

PROCEEDINGS   B.    S.    N.    H.  10  DEC.    1845. 


74 


ihem,  using  for  the  purpose  three  foreign  specimens  from  his  own 
cabinet,  and  the  one  under  consideration.  He  found  the  measure- 
ments to  be  as  follows  : 


Measurements. 


N.  American  I   European 
specimen.    |  specimen. 


Length  of  bill  along  the  gape,  . 
Diameter  of  bill  from  above  downwards 

directly  in  front  of  nasal  depression, 
From  middle  of  nostril  to  end  of  bill, 
Horizontal  diameter  of  bill  at  nostrils,  . 
From  bifurcation  of  rami  to  tip  of  lower 

mandible, 

Wing,  from  flexure  to  tip,    . 

Length  of  tarsus, 

Length  of  tail,     ..... 
Average  length,  according  to  Aud.  &  Temm. 


inches. 

L75 

.55 

L12 

.45 

.85 

8.25 

L85 

10.75 

18.50 


inches. 

1.56 

.56 

1.06 

.50 

.75 

7.62 

1.85 

10.00 

18.00 


The  5th  primary  is  longest  in  the  American,  the  4th  and  5th 
in  the  European.  The  white  markings  on  the  inside  of  the 
primaries  are  much  less  distinct  in  the  American  than  in  the 
European  specimens,  and  the  green  color  on  the  wings  is  more 
prevalent.  Although  he  would  not  assert  that  he  considered 
these  differences  sufficient  to  constitute  the  American  bird  a  dis- 
tinct species.  Dr.  Cabot  believed  there  was  better  cause  for  so 
doing  than  in  the  case  of  Corvus  corone  of  the  United  States, 
which  Mr.  Audubon  had  described  as  distinct  from  Corvus  corone 
of  Europe,  under  the  name  of  Corvus  americanus. 

Dr.  Cabot  also  exhibited,  and  read  a  description  of,  a  new 
species  of  Humming-bird. 

He  stated  that  he  had  examined  all  the  books  to  which  he 
could  get  access,  without  finding  any  description  of  this  bird  ;  but 
thought  it  probable  that  it  might  be  among  the  many  species 
lately  described  in  periodical  publications  which  he  had  not  seen. 

TiiocHiLUS  YUCATANENSis.  Length  4  inches.  Bill  f  of  an  inch. 
First  primary  longest ;  primaries  curved,  broadest  at  their  tips. 
Tail,  somewhat  forked,  rather  more  than  1 J  inch  long,  consists  of 
iO  feathers.    Bill  light  yellowish  at  base  and  along  centre  of  man- 


76 


dibles,  dark  horn-color  at  tip  and  half  way  along  sides.  Male 
brilliant  shining  emerald  on  chin,  throat  and  upper  part  of  breast. 
Head,  upper  part  of  neck  and  back  dull  golden  green  with  some 
metallic  reflections.  Lower  part  of  breast,  belly,  under  tail  cov- 
erts, central  and  upper  part  of  tail  feathers  light  bay.  Tips  and 
both  sides  of  central  tail  feathers  and  outer  side  of  lateral  tail 
feathers  dark  golden  green  with  metallic  reflections.  Vent  white. 
Female  nearly  the  same  as  male,  but  rufous  instead  of  bright 
emerald  on  chin,  neck,  &c.,  and  less  white  about  vent.  This  is 
the  most  common  humming-bird  found  in  Yucatan.  It  was  seen 
in  numbers  about  the  acacias  which  grew  upon  the  tops  of  the 
ruined  buildings,  where  the  specimens,  from  which  the  above 
description  was  taken,  were  procured. 


ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Teschemacher,  J.  E.  Essay  on  Guano.  Pamph.  8vo,  pp.  51. 
Boston,  1845.     From  the  Autlior. 

Chapman,  A.  W.,  M.  D.  List  of  Plants  growing  spontaneously 
in  the  vicinity  of  Quincy,  Florida.  Pamph.  8vo.  1845.  From 
the  Author. 

Menke,  C.  T.  Molluscorum  Novte  HoUandia?  Specimen.  4to. 
Hanoverian,  1843.     From  Dr.  J.  Torrey. 

Gibbes,  Robert  W.,  M.  D.  Descriptions  of  the  Teeth  of  a 
New  Fossil  Animal  from  the  green  sand  of  South  Carolina. 
Pamph.  8vo.     Philadelphia,  1845.     From  the  Author. 

Von  Osersky,  A.  Geognostische  Umriss  des  Nord-Westlichen 
Ehstlands.  Pamph.  8vo,  pp.  65.  St.  Petersburg,  1844.  From 
the  Author. 

Von  Osersky,  A.  Mineralogisch-Chemische  Abhandlungen. 
Pamph.  8vo,  pp.  42.     St.  Petersburg,  1844.     From  the  same. 

Saunders,  W.  W.  Addresses  before  the  Entomological  So- 
ciety of  London.  1842  and  1843.  pamph.  8vo.  From  the 
Entomolog.  Society. 

Newport,  George.  Addresses  before  the  Entomological  So- 
ciety of  London.  1844  and  1845.  Pamph.  8vo.  From  the 
same. 

Journal  of  Proceedings  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  Lon- 
don.    For  1841.     From  the  same. 


T6 


British  Coleoptera  delineated,  &c.  8vo.  London,  1840.  From 
E.  S.  Dixwell 

Essai  d'  une  Carte  Geologique  du  Globe  terrestre.  From  the 
Geological  Society  of  France. 


December  13,  1845. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  read  a  description  of  a  new  species  of 
Leptocephalus,  drawn  up  from  a  specimen  belonging  to  the 
Essex  Natural  History  Society,  and  lent  to  him  for  that 
purpose  by  Dr.  Wheatland,  of  Salem.  He  also  exhibited 
the  specimen,  which  was  taken  at  Cherryfield,  Maine. 

Dr.  S.  remarked  that,  up  to  this  time,  only  one  species  of  this 
genus  had  been  known,  Lepiocephalus  Morrisii,  Pennant,  which 
is  found  off  the  coast  of  England  and  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea. 
The  genus  is,  therefore,  new  to  this  continent.  The  description 
is  as  follows  : 

Leptocephalus  gracilis.  In  spirits,  of  a  rusty  brown  color, 
translucent ;  the  vertebral  column  and  ribs  perceptible  throughout 
its  whole  length.  Head  small,  snout  pointed.  Eyes  circular, 
pupils  black,  irides  silvery.  Length  of  the  fish  four  and  a  half 
inches  ;  of  head  one  quarter  of  an  inch  ;  the  greatest  depth  of  the 
body  slightly  exceeds  the  length  of  the  head.     Jaws  equal. 

Pectorals  wanting.  The  dorsal  and  anal  fins,  which  require 
the  microscope  to  be  distinguished,  are  continued  to  the  pointed 
tail,  which  is  formed  by  their  junction.  Small  black  points  are 
noticed  upon  the  margin  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins,  and  also 
along  the  lateral  line,  by  means  of  the  glass. 

It  will  be  perceived  by  the  above  description,  which  is  neces- 
sarily very  imperfect,  the  specimen  having  been  preserved  in 
spirit,  that  this  species  resembles  somewhat  the  L.  Morrisii,  of 
Pennant,  but  the  relative  proportions  of  the  parts  in  each,  point 


w 


them  out  as  distinct  species.  In  Yarrell's  figure  of  the  L.  Mor- 
risii,  the  length  of  the  fish  is  3^  inches,  while  the  head  is  ^  of 
an  inch  long,  or  j^^  the  whole  length,  and  the  greatest  depth  of 
the  body  is  nearly  ^  of  an  inch,  or  j\  its  length.  In  our  species, 
the  entire  length  of  the  head  is  -^\  its  whole  length,  and  the  depth 
of  the  body  is  also  about  j\  of  its  whole  length. 

Dr.  Storer  stated  that  of  the  American  genus  Prionotus, 
Cuvier  and  Valenciennes  had  described  four  species,  of 
which  three  had  been  already  noticed  in  the  waters  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. He  had  not  expected  to  be  able  to  include  the 
fourth,  P,  punctatus,  among  our  fishes,  as  it  was  supposed 
to  be  exclusively  a  southern  species.  He  had,  however, 
recently  obtained  it,  and  could  now  assert  that  all  the 
known  species  are  found  in  the  waters  of  our  State.  He 
had  also  recently  obtained  an  undescribed  species,  of  which 
he  gave  the  following  description  : 

Prionotus  pileatus.  Color,  above  reddish  brown,  beneath  yel- 
lowish white.  The  first  dorsal  fin  is  crossed  by  two  oblique  white 
lines,  with  a  black  blotch  upon  the  connecting  membrane,  between 
the  fourth  and  fifth  rays,  above  the  upper  oblique  line.  The 
entire  head  is  roughened  by  raised  strisD.  The  lateral  projections 
of  the  snout  are  prominent,  and  margined  with  very  strong  crenu- 
lations.  Two  distinct  spines  at  the  anterior  superior  angle  of  the 
eye.  Opercular  spine  of  moderate  size,  not  elevated  at  its  base 
above  the  opercular  plate.  Preopercular  spine  large,  naked  at 
its  posterior  extremit}'-,  raised  and  crenulated  along  its  whole  outer 
edge.  Length  of  the  head  equal  to  ^  of  the  length  of  the  body. 
Length  of  the  pectoral  fins  equal  to  nearly  -^  the  length  of  the 
head.  The  caudal  fin  is  quite  deeply  emarginated,  the  outer 
rays  projecting. 

D.  10,  13  ;  P.  13  ;  V.  6  ;  A.  12  ;  C.  12|.     Length  12^  inches. 

Massachusetts  Bay. 

This  species  diflJers  from  the  other  species  of  this  genus,  in  the 
following  particulars,  viz. : 

From  the  P.  lineatus,  in  the  greater  prominence  of  the  sides  of 
the  snout,  and  in  the  larger  size  of  their  crenulations  ;  in  the 
striations  of  the  head  being  more  delicate  ;  in  having  two  welt 


78 


marked  spines  at  the  anterior  superior  angle  of  the  eye  ;  in  the 
preopercular  spine  being  larger ;  and  in  the  absence  of  the  second 
lateral  line. 

From  the  P.  CaroUnus,  in  having  the  strioe  about  the  head 
more  rough,  and  in  not  having  the  extremities  of  the  free  rays  of 
the  pectoral  fins  palmated. 

From  the  P.  punctatuSf  in  the  absence  of  the  smoothness  of 
the  strise  over  the  head  generally,  and  of  the  two  small  spines  on 
the  side  of  the  mouth,  the  one  back  of  the  lateral  lobes  of  the 
snout,  and  the  other  just  above  the  angle  of  the  jaws  ;  and  of  the 
denticulations  at  the  sides  of  the  spines  situated  at  the  anterior 
superior  angle  of  the  eyes  ;  by  the  less  length  of  the  pectorals 
and  by  the  emargination  of  the  caudal  fin. 

From  the  P.  trihulus^  in  the  absence  of  the  spine  upon  the  sub- 
orbitar  bones  ;  in  having  the  spines  generally  upon  the  head  less 
prominent  and  sharper,  and  in  having  the  pectorals  shorter  in 
proportion  to  the  length  of  the  body. 

A  description  of  a  new  species  of  Argyreiosus,  by  Mr.  J. 
M.  Batchelder,  of  Saco,  Maine,  communicated  through  Dr. 
Storer,  was  read. 

Argyreiosus  unimaculatus.  Body  nearly  circular,  much 
compressed.  Breadth  l^^y  inches.  Profile  nearly  vertical. 
Lower  jaw  the  longer  and  hooked.  Eyes  -^^  of  an  inch  in  dia- 
meter. A  filament,  ^  of  an  inch  in  length,  arises  on  the  back  in 
a  vertical  plane  with  the  origin  of  the  pectoral  fin  :  -^^  of  an 
inch  back  of  this,  are  three  very  minute  spines.  Several  finlets 
upon  the  back  and  abdomen.  Pectoral  fins  -f-^  of  an  inch  long. 
Caudal  fin  deeply  forked. 

Color,  in  parts  above  the  lateral  line,  dark  ;  below  it,  silvery  : 
upon  the  lateral  line,  which  passes  in  nearly  a  right  line  from  the 
superior  angle  of  the  gill  covers  to  the  base  of  the  caudal  rays,  is 
a  nearly  circular  black  spot,  the  anterior  edge  of  which  is  just 
touched  by  the  pectoral  fin  when  depressed. 

D.  }  P.  ?  V.  ?  A.  ?  C.  14  rays.  Length  1^=^  inches  to  the 
base  of  the  caudal  fin. 

The  specimen  above  described,  was  taken,  with  six  others,  in 
shallow  water,  on  the  beach  at  Saco,  Maine.     After  having  been 


preserved  a  year  in  spirits,  it  was  sent  to  Mr.  Batcheldcr,  who 
prepared  from  it  the  above  description. 

Prof.  H.  D.  Rogers  submitted  to  the  Society  some  verbal 
remarks  upon  the  bones  of  the  Zeuglodon,  recently  exhibited 
in  Boston,  under  the  name  of  Hydrarchos,  by  their  proprie- 
tor, Dr.  Koch. 

Prof.  R.  mentioned,  that,  among  the  loose  bones  not  arranged 
with  the  skeleton,  he  discovered  two  specimens  of  the  Cochlea  of 
the  ear,  and  he  described  them  as  approximating  very  closely,  in 
form  and  structure,  to  the  similar  bone  in  the  organ  of  hearing  of 
the  whales.  They  are  about  the  size  of  a  small  lemon,  and  dis- 
play that  variety  of  the  whorled  or  convoluted  form  of  the  cochlea 
peculiar  to  the  cctacea.  This  analogy,  and  their  wide  deviation 
from  the  type  of  the  organ  as  found  in  reptiles,  he  regarded  as  an 
interesting  confirmation  of  the  decision  of  Prof.  Owen,  of  London, 
that  this  animal,  the  Basilosaurus  of  Harlan,  is  no  saurian^  but  a 
true  cetacean.  It  was  furthermore  stated  that  the  two  cochleae 
were  of  different  dimensions,  and  therefore,  since  no  animal  has 
ears  of  unequal  dimensions,  this  fact  is  an  evidence  of  their  having 
belonged  to  two  distinct  individuals. 

A  paper  from  Professors  Henry  D.  and  William  B.  Rogers, 
on  two  remarkable  Boulder  Trains,  in  Berkshire  Co.,  Mass., 
was  then  read  by  the  first  named  gentleman. 

After  referring  to  the  importance  of  the  phenomena  in  connec- 
tion with  the  interesting  question  of  the  origin  of  the  drift,  and 
mentioning  the  descriptions  already  given  by  Dr.  Reid  and  Dr. 
Hitchcock,  tbe  authors  proceed  to  detail  their  observations  made 
in  August  last,  and  to  present  their  own  explanation. 

These  Boulder  Trains  they  describe  as  starting  from  the  sum- 
mit of  a  high  ridge  in  Canaan,  New  York,  each  from  a  particular 
depression  ;  ranging  in  a  direction  about  S.  35°  E.,  across  other 
even  higher  ridges  and  their  intervening  valleys  ;  the  longer  train 
a  distance  of  twenty  miles,  and  the  shorter  ten  miles,  about  half  a 
mile  asunder,  and  neither  of  them  more  than  300  or  400  feet  in 
breadth.  The  blocks  are  of  great  size,  from  5  to  20  feet  in  dia- 
meter, are  angular  and  free  from  diluvial  scratches,  and,  unlike 
the  rounded  boulders,  are  confined  to  the  surface.    They  all  con- 


80 


sist  of  a  single  kind  of  rock,  identical  with  that  in  the  crest  of  the 
ridge  whence  they  originate. 

After  exhibiting  the  inadequacy  of  either  the  iceberg  or  glacier 
hypothesis  to  account  for  their  production,  the  authors  proceed  to 
show  how  all  the  phenomena  may  be  explained  by  the  theory 
they  have  elsewhere  advocated,  of  a  sudden  discharge  of  a  portion 
of  the  Arctic  Ocean  southward  across  the  land.  They  discuss 
the  important  functions  of  the  wave  of  translation,  show  its  sur- 
passing velocity  and  great  propulsive  power,  and  trace  the  in- 
fluence of  vehement  earthquakes  near  the  Pole,  in  dislodging  the 
northern  waters  and  ice,  and  maintaining  in  the  rushing  flood, 
these  vast  and  potent  waves.  They  then  suggest  that,  at  a  certain 
stage  of  the  inundation,  the  ice,  previously  floating  free,  would 
impinge  with  irresistible  violence  against  the  tops  of  the  submersed 
hills,  and  that  the  Canaan  mountain  stood  precisely  in  the  position 
to  take  the  brunt  of  a  part  of  the  ice-driving  flood,  as  it  swept 
down  the  long  high  slope  of  the  distant  Adirondack,  and  across 
the  low,  broad  valley  of  the  Hudson. 

They  next  proceed  to  show  that,  at  the  instant  when  some 
enormous  ice-island  struck  the  crest  of  the  mountain,  and  scooped 
the  trench  which  we  there  behold,  a  great  vortex  was  produced  by 
the  obstruction,  thus  suddenly  thrown  in  the  path  of  the  current, 
which,  endowed  with  an  excessive  gyratory  or  spiral  velocity,  was 
capable  of  sustaining  and  carrying  forward  the  greater  part  of  the 
fragments.  As  in  the  instance  of  the  waterspout  and  whirlwind, 
the  functions  of  whose  motion  they  discuss,  the  whirlpool  would 
gather  into  the  rotating  column  the  projected  blocks,  and  strew 
them  in  a  narrow  path,  in  the  line  along  which  its  pendant  apex 
would  drag  the  ground. 

The  paper  terminated  with  an  application  of  this  idea  in  detail, 
to  the  explanation  of  each  important  feature  of  these  Trains  :  to 
their  deflections  from  a  straight  line,  the  intermission  in  the  bould- 
ers at  certain  places  in  the  Train,  and  to  the  fact  that  some  of  the 
blocks  have  been  violently  broken  at  the  moment  previous  to  their 
final  rest. 

The  paper  was  referred  to  the  Publishing  Committee. 

Mr.  Bouve  exhibited,  and  remarked  upon,  a  beautiful  col- 
lection of  tertiary  fossils,  recently  presented  by  M.  Tuomey, 


Esq.,  of  Petersburg.  Va.     The   following  is  a  list  of  the 
species  : 


CRETACEOUS. 


Anomia  argcntaria,  Morton. 
Exogyra  coslata,  Say. 


I     Belemnites  americanus. 

I 


Cardita  planicosta,  Lam. 
Turntella  Mortoni,  Conrad. 
Ostrea  compressirostra,  Say. 
"       sellaeformis,  Conrad. 


EOCENE. 


Cucullcna  gigantea. 
Scutella  Lyelli,  Conrad. 

"        macrophora,  Raveuel. 


MIOCENE. 


ADomia  ephippium,  Lin. 
"        RufRiii,  Conrad. 
Astarte  concentrica,  Conrad. 

"       undulata,  Say. 
Cardita  granulata,  Say. 
"        tridentata,  Say. 
Cardium  sublineatuin,  Conrad. 
Carditamera  arata,  Conrad. 
Chama  corticosa,  Conrad. 
"       congrcgata,  Conrad. 
"       arcinella,  Lam. 
Crepidula  fornicala,  Say. 
"         costata,  Morton. 
"         spinosa,  Conrad. 
Crassatella  undulala,  Say. 
Cytherea  reposta,  Conrad. 
"         Sayan  a,  Conrad. 
Fissurella  redimicula,  Say. 
Cyrena  densata,  Conrad. 
Dispotaea  ramosa,  Conrad. 
Artemis  acetabulumj  Conrad. 
Area  lienosa,  Say. 
"     limula,  Conrad. 
"     incilis,  Say. 
Pectunculus  subovatus,  Lam. 

"  lenliformis,  Conrad. 

"  aratus,  Conrad. 

"  tricenarius,  Conrad. 

"  parilis,  Conrad. 

"  tumulus,  Conrad. 

Venus  tridacnoidcs,  Ijam. 
"      Mortoni,  Conrad. 
"      Rileyi,  Conrad. 


Venus  capax,  Conrad. 

"      mercenaria,  Conrad. 

"      cribraria,  Conrad. 

"      alveata,  Conrad. 
Fulgur  contrarius. 
Natica  heros,  Say. 

"       duplicata,  Say, 
Oliva  littcrata,  Lam. 

"      canaliculata,  Lea. 
Dentalium  denlale,  Lin. 
Solarium. 
Mactra  congesta,  Conrad. 

"       lateralis,  Say. 
Ostrea  disparilis,  Conrad. 

"       sculpturala,  Conrad. 

"      subfalcata,  Conrad. 

Ostrea . 

PanopcTa  reflexa,  Say. 
Perna  maxillata,  Lam. 
Plicatula  murginata,  Say. 
Pecten  Mortoni,  Rav. 

"       eboreus,  Conrad. 

''       Jeffersonius,  Say. 
Teredo  fistula,  H.  C.  Lea. 
Petaloconchus  sculpturata.  Lea. 
Conus  adversarius,  Conrad. 

"      diluvianus. 
Cypra;a  caroliniana,  Conrad. 
Fasciolaria  mutabilis,  Conrad. 

"  rhomboidea,  Rogers. 

Fusus  quadricostatus,  Say. 
Buccinum  Tuomeyi,  Lea. 
Turritella  alticostata. 


Dr.  Gould  stated  that  he  had  received,  for  the  Society, 
from  Thomas  A.  Green,  Esq.,  of  New  Bedford,  three  living 
specimens  of  Pholas  costata ^  and  three  of  Pholas  truncata, 

Say. 


82 


They  were  taken  by  the  mud  machine,  at  the  end  of  the  Long 
Wharf,  in  New  Bedford.  Mr.  G.  thinks  they  were  at  a  depth  of 
perhaps  two  feet  in  the  mud,  and,  from  the  number  obtained  in 
half  an  hour's  search,  he  believes  them  to  be  abundant. 

Dr.  Gould  regarded  this  as  a  very  interesting  discovery.  He 
was  not  aware  that  P.  costata  had  been  heretofore  found  alive 
this  side  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  though  a  bed  of  dead  shells  was 
discovered  by  Prof.  C.  B.  Adams  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Bedford 
six  or  eight  years  ago,  which  at  the  time  excited  surprise,  these 
vestiges  of  an  animal,  supposed  to  belong  to  a  warm  climate,  not 
then  known  to  live  within  more  than  a  thousand  miles,  show- 
ing that  the  animal  must  have  flourished  there  at  no  very  dis- 
tant period. 

The  animal  is  of  a  Caucasian  hue,  and  its  siphonal  tubes,  which 
are  united,  are  capable  of  great  extension,  certainly  to  four  times 
the  length  of  the  shell,  maintaining  its  full  size,  and  of  being 
moulded  to  every  possible  shape.  In  one  animal  the  siphon  was 
beautifully  stippled  near  its  tip  with  mohagany  brown.  The  foot 
is  about  an  inch  long,  its  adhering  surface  not  unlike  the  sole  of 
a  sharp-pointed  shoe  in  shape.  The  accessory  portions  of  the 
hinge  are  not  calcareous,  but  pergamineous,  consisting  of  two 
triangular  pieces  united  base  to  base,  one  nearly  an  inch  long, 
spear-pointed,  filling  the  anterior  fissure,  and  another  small, 
nearly  equilateral,  shutting  down  posteriorly. 

P.  iruncala  is  described  by  Say  as  If  inches  in  length  ;  whereas 
the  New  Bedford  specimens  are  2J-  inches  in  length,  and  of 
proportional  width.  He  gives  South  Carolina  as  its  habitat,  and 
Dr.  G.  was  not  aware  that  it  had  been  before  found  to  the  north- 
ward of  that  locality. 

The  animal  is  of  a  dark,  smoky,  almost  inky  color.  The 
siphon  less  extensive  than  that  of  P.  costata^  and  whether  more 
or  less  extended,  always  maintains  a  tapering  form,  and  is  every- 
where circularly  and  coarsely  corrugated.  The  respiratory  ori- 
fice is  seen  to  be  striped  alternately  black  and  white,  the  latter 
stripes  marking  the  presence  of  fourteen  tentacular  organs.  The 
foot  is  oval,  one  third  longer  than  broad.  The  supplement ary  valve 
is  single,  calcareous,  halberd-shaped,  pointed  anteriorly,  rounded 
posteriorly  and  contracted  at  the  sides ;  marked  with  lines  of  growth, 
parallel  to  its  margin,  and  channelled  on  the  median  line. 


8S 


John  Curtis,  M.  D.  of  Lowell,  was  elected  a  member. 
John  L.  Le  Conte,  of  New  York,  was  elected  a  corres- 
ponding member. 

DONATIOr^S    TO    THE    MUSEUM. 

Specimens  of  Pholas  costata  and  Pholas  truncata.  From  New 
Bedford  harbor.     By  T.  A.  Greene,  Esq. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

American  Journal  of  Agriculture  and  Science.  Conducted  by 
E.  Emmons,  M.  D.  and  A.  J.  Prince,  M.  D.  Vol.  ii.  No.  2.  For 
Oct.,  Nov.,  and  Dec,  1845.     8vo.    Albany.     From  the  Editors. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  For  Nov.  1845. 
8vo.     London.     Courtis  Fund. 

Audubon,  J.  J.,  and  Bachman,  J.  North  American  Quadru- 
peds.    Plates  65  to  69.   folio.     From  Subscribers. 

Brown,  B.  B.  Meteorological  Observations  for  the  years  1841 
to  1S44,  inclusive.  8vo.  pamph.  St.  Louis,  1845.  From  the 
Author. 

Gray,  G.  R.  Genera  of  Birds.  Part  19.  November.  Folio. 
London,  1845.     Audubon  Fund, 

Magallotti.  Lettere  Scientifiche  ed  Erudite  del  Conte  Lorenzo 
Magallotti,  Gentiluomo  Trattenuto.  4to.  Venezia,  1740.  From 
A.  Binney. 

Versoris,  Johannes.  Physica,  sive  circa  Libros  Aristotelis 
Philosoph.  Questiones,  &c.  Black-letter  4to.  1489.  From  the 
same. 


1z 
December  '^T,    1845. 

The  President  in  the  Chair. 


Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  made  some  verbal   remarks  on  certain 
characters  in  the  shell  distinctive  of  Lottia  and  Patella. 


84 


In  the  genus  Lottia  of  Gray,  (Patelloideo^  Quoy,)  we  have 
a  remarkable  instance,  where  animals,  differing  widely  in  the 
arrangement  of  their  respiratory  organs,  have,  so  far  as  hitherto 
observed,  an  entire  similarity  of  shells.  So  much  so,  that  M. 
Quoy,  who  described  the  animal,  says  that  it  is  absolutely  im- 
possible to  distinguish  the  shell  from  that  of  Patella;  and  also, 
that  here  is  a  marked  exception  to  the  general  rule,  that  an  ani- 
mal having  the  respiratory  apparatus  non-symmetrical  will  have 
a  non-symmetrical  shell. 

By  a  careful  examination  of  several  well  established  species, 
and  numerous  individuals,  of  this  genus.  Dr.  G.  thinks  he  has  de- 
tected a  character  which  will  nullify  both  the  above  remarks,  and 
enable  us,  by  the  shell  alone,  to  distinguish  the  two  genera  in  the 
majority  of  cases. 

If  we  examine  the  anterior  portion  of  the  shell,  corresponding  to 
the  left  side  of  the  animal,  we  shall  find  a  faint  groove  or  undulation 
passing,  in  direct  continuation  of  the  lateral  margin  of  the  cervical 
portion  of  the  muscular  impression,  to  the  margin  of  the  shell,  thus 
taking  nearly  the  diagonal  line  of  the  shell  from  its  apex.  This  is 
quite  decided  in  L.  gigantea,  Gray,  L.  icstudinaria,  i.,  and  in 
our  own  L.  testudinalis,  Mull.  But  in  other  species  it  is  detected 
with  difficulty,  sometimes  merely  by  the  play  of  light  as  the  shell 
is  turned  horizontally  around.  Nothing  of  the  kind,  whether  dis- 
tinct or  faint,  will  ever  be  found  corresponding  to  it  on  the  opposite 
side  ;  nor  is  it  found  in  any  species  of  true  Patella  that  Dr.  G.  has 
yet  examined.  In  some  specimens,  and  probably  in  some  species, 
this  groove  may  not  be  visible  ;  but  wherever  it  is  discovered,  the 
shell  may  safely  be  referred  to  the  genus  Lottia. 

To  constitute  this  a  perfectly  satisfactory  diagnostic  mark,  we 
ought  to  be  able  to  refer  to  some  organ  of  the  body  as  its  cause, 
as  we  can  for  the  groove  in  Sij)honaria.  But  the  branchial  plume 
is  here  on  the  opposite  side  ;  and  there  is  no  organ,  so  far  as  Dr. 
G.  has  learnt,  which  corresponds  to  this  mark  ;  and  while  we 
cannot  yet  account  for  it  on  anatomical  grounds,  yet  its  presence 
is  too  constant  to  be  regarded  as  merely  accidental. 

Mr.  J.  E.  Teschemacher  exhibited  three  specimens  of  ferns, 
from  the  Sandwich  Islands,  of  the  genus  Depairia  of  Hooker, 
and  made  the  following  observations. 


This  very  curious  and  elegant  genus  of  ferns,  bearing  its  deli- 
cate pateriform  sori  on  the  margin  of  the  leaf,  was  first  separated 
as  a  genus  by  Hooker,  in  Hooker  &i  Greville,  Icon.  Filicum,  where 
in  tab.  154,  D.  Macrei  is  beautifully  figured.  Kaulfuss,  in  his 
Enum.  Filicum,  p.  225,  had  previously  arranged  a  proliferous  De- 
pairia  with  Dicksonia^  as  Dicksonia  prolifera^  but  the  fructifica- 
tion differs  too  essentially  from  Dicksonia  to  permit  this  arrange- 
ment. From  Cihotium  also,  with  which  Presl  has  joined  it,  the 
habit  and  fructification  differ.  Depairia  of  Hooker  will  therefore 
probably  remain  a  good  genus.  In  the  Species  Filicum  of  Hooker 
now  in  course  of  publication,  he  transfers  the  specific  name  pro- 
lifer  a  to  his  D.  Macrei^  which  he  calls  a  synonym,  and  states 
that  "  Kaulfuss,  who  first  described  this  handsome  plant,  observes 
that  its  rachis  '  is  proliferous,  w-liich  is  not  apparent  in  my  spe- 
cimens.' "     He  also  describes  a  new  species,  D.  Maihewsii. 

It  is  evident,  however,  from  the  specimens  now  exhibited,  that 
D.  Macrei  and  D.  prolifcra  are  by  no  means  synonyms.  This 
genus  would  then  consist  of  1,  i).  Macrei^  as  described  by  Hooker ; 
2,  D.  prolifera  [Dicksonia  prolifera  of  Kaulfuss]  which  may  be 
described.  Frond  bi  ?-pinnate,  rachis  proliferous,  not  glabrous, 
pinnai  opposite,  elongate,  acuminate,  deeply  pinnatifid,  quite 
approximate,  segments  lanceolate  acuminate,  veins  both  simple 
and  forked,  those  at  the  base  of  the  frond  nearly  all  forked,  sori 
at  the  termination  of  the  forked  veins,  usually  on  the  uppermost, 
but  rarely  on  both  veins.  The  whole  outline  and  appearance 
quite  distinct  from  either  of  the  other  species.  It  seems  proba- 
ble that  a  microscopic  examination  of  living  specimens  would 
exhibit  other  striking  distinctions  between  these  three  species,  the 
evidence  of  which,  in  dried  specimens,  is  not  sufficiently  marked 
to  direct  a  mature  judgment.  Thus  the  sori  appear  more  sessile 
in  D.  prolifera  than  in  D.  Macrei.  The  rachis  also  of  D.  proli- 
fera is  now  partially  covered  with  sporules,  so  as  to  give  it  a 
rufous  appearance  ;  they  could  not,  however,  attach  themselves 
thus,  if  the  rachis  was  like  that  of  D.  Macrei^  glabrous. 

3.  D.  Mathewsii  as  described  by  Hooker.  Mr.  T.'s  specimen 
of  this  species  is  from  the  mountain  Punkohala  Waioli. 

Dr.  Cabot,  in  behalf  of  Dr.  Storer,  exhibited  a  drawing 
of  Trichiurus  lepturus,  taken  from  a  specimen  40  inches 


86 


in  length  ;  the  only  perfect  specimen  which  Dr.  S.  has  seen 
from  the  waters  of  Massachusetts  Bay. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Fremont,  J.  C.  Capt.  U.  S.  Army.  Report  of  the  Ex- 
ploring Expedition  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  in  the  year  1842  ; 
and  to  Oregon  and  North  California  in  1843  and  1844.  8vo. 
Washington,  1845.     From  the  Hon.  R.  C.  WintJirop. 

Johnson,  Walter  R.  Report  on  the  Coals  of  the  United  States. 
Duplicate.     8vo.     Washington,  1845.     From  Hon.  R.  Choate. 

Valenciennes,  M.  A.  Observation  d'une  espece  de  ver  de  la 
cavite  abdominale  d'un  lezard  vert-piquete,  le  Dithyridiuni  la- 
certcB.  Comptes  Rendus.  Sept.  1844.  Pamphlet,  8vo.  From 
J,  E.  De  Kay,  M.  D.,  of  New  York. 

Valenciennes,  M.  A.  Nouvelles  Observations  sur  Porgane 
electrique  du  Silure  electrique,  (Malopterus  electricus,  Lace- 
pede.)     Comptes  Rendus,  Aout,  1844.     From  sa?ne. 

Valenciennes,  M.  A.  Description  de  quelques  dents  fossils  de 
Poissons.     4to.  pamph.     1844.     From  same. 

Valenciennes,  M.  A.  Nouvelles  Recherches  anatomiques  sur 
Le  Nautile  {Nautilus  pompilius)  Comptes  Rendus.  Jan.  1841. 
4to.  pamph.     From  same. 

Valenciennes,  M.  A.  Recherches  sur  la  Structure  et  la  Na- 
ture du  Tissu  Elementaire  des  Cartilages.  4to  pamph.  Nov. 
1844.     From  same. 

Valenciennes,  M.  A.  Observations  sur  les  machoires  Fos- 
silcs  des  Couches  oolithiques  de  Stonesfield,  nommees  Didelphis 
Prevoslii  et  Didelphis  Bucklandi.  Pamph.  4to.  Comptes  Ren- 
dus.    Sept.  1838.     From  same. 

Valenciennes,  M.  A.  Memoire  sur  le  genre  "  Ictides,'^''  etc. 
etc.     An.  des.  Sc.  Nat.  1825.     8vo.  pamph.     From  sa7?ie. 

Microscopical  Journal  and  Structural  Record,  for  1841  and 
1842.  Edhed  by  Daniel  Cooper,  M.  D.,  &c.  2  vols.  8vo. 
London.     Courtis  Fund. 

Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadel- 
phia, from  May  to  October,  1845.     8vo. 

Proceedings  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  from  May 
to  August,  1845.     8vo. 


87 


1 


DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 


Ammonite  from  the  lias  of  England,   fine  specimen.     From 
Nathaniel  Breioer,  Esq. 


January  7,  1846. 

Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  in  the  Chair. 

Mr.  Francis  Alger  exhibited  certain  minerals,  and  read  a 
paper  concerning  them,  which  was  referred  to  the  Publishing 
Committee.     The  following  is  an  abstract  of  it. 

Mr.  Alger  announced  that  he  had  discovered  Phacolite  among 
specimens  of  minerals  from  New  York  Island.  The  crystals  are 
beautifully  perfect,  double  six-sided  pyramids,  implanted  on  car- 
bonate of  lime.  They  are  of  a  wax-yellow  color,  have  also  a 
waxy  lustre,  and  are  translucent.  This  mineral,  he  observed, 
had  been  regarded  by  some  as  a  species  distinct  from  Chabasite, 
but  it  is  now,  principally  on  the  authority  of  Tamnau,  of  Berlin, 
admitted  to  be  only  a  variety  of  that  mineral,  derived  from  the 
same  primary  rhombohedron.  Mr.  A.  remarked  that  the  New 
York  crystals  were  very  interesting,  from  the  fact  that  they 
showed  the  incipient  modifications  by  which  the  ultimate  double 
six-sided  pyramids  were  produced  from  the  rhombohedron, 
thereby  clearly  proving  the  Phacolite  to  be  a  secondary  to  the 
primary  form  of  Chabasite.  This  he  had  not  observed  in  any  of 
the  specimens  from  Bohemia  or  Ireland.  It  should  nevertheless 
be  remembered  that  the  analyses  of  Phacolite,  by  Anderson  and 
Rammelsberg,  make  it  differ  somewhat  from  common  Chabasite, 
one  being  a  bisilicate  of  alumina,  -f-  bisilicate  of  lime,  potash 
and  soda,  +  six  atoms  water ;  the  other,  a  tersilicate  of  the  first 
term,  and  a  simple  silicate  of  the  second,  along  with  three  atoms 
water. 

Yttro-cerite.  Mr.  A.  had  found  this  very  rare  mineral  in  the 
limestone  from  Orange  county.  New  York.  It  presents  all  the 
characters  of  the  mineral  from  Finbo,  in  Sweden,  and  cannot  be 


88 


distinguished  from  it  in  hand  specimens.  It  is  associated  with 
Brucite,  but  is  very  scarce.  Mr.  A.  gave  his  reasons  for  con- 
sidering Dysluite  as  identical  with  Aiitomalile,  They  pass  into 
each  other,  and  the  differences  in  hardness,  color,  specific  gravity 
and  pyrognostic  characters,  can  thus  be  accounted  for  by  the 
well-known  fact  of  the  isomorphous  replacement  of  the  constitu- 
ents of  certain  m.inerals,  the  crystalline  forms  of  which  remain 
the  same.  Specimens  are  seen,  in  which  the  bright  and  perfect 
crystals  of  Automalite  gradually  lose  their  lustre,  and  become 
porous,  brittle  and  soft ;  thus  assuming  the  characters  of  Dysluite. 

Oitrelite^  of  MM.  Desclozeaux  and  Damour,  identical  with 
Phyllite,  of  Dr.  Thomson.  This  fact  was  pointed  out  by  Mr.  A. 
on  the  grounds  of  similarity  in  chemical  composition,  as  well  as 
in  physical  and  crystallographical  characters,  so  far  as  these  latter 
have  been  determined.  They  both  occur  in  small  disks  or  plates, 
very  thin,  and  the  most  perfect  of  them  having  the  form  of  com- 
pressed or  flattened  rhomboidal  tables.  A  specimen  of  Ottrelite, 
which  he  had  received  from  Mr.  Markoe,  and  another  of  Phyliite, 
from  the  hands  of  Prof  Nuttall,  enabled  Mr.  A.  to  compare  them 
carefully  with  each  other  ;  and  he  had  no  hesitation  in  declaring 
them  to  be  the  same  mineral.  Damour's  analysis  shows  the  iron 
to  be  in  the  state  of  protoxide  ;  and  it,  probably,  exists  in  the 
same  state  in  Phyliite,  though  it  is  put  down  as  peroxide  in  Dr. 
Thomson's  analysis.  The  name  Ottrelite  should  give  place  to 
that  of  Phyliite,  on  the  ground  of  the  priority  of  the  latter,  and 
because  it  expresses  so  well  the  ordinary  appearance  of  the  min- 
eral. Brooke  had  supposed  Phyliite  to  be  identical  with  Gigan- 
tholite.  If  we  compare  the  analyses  of  Gigantholite  and  Ottrelite, 
their  identity  is  much  more  clearly  shown,  so  that  it  would  appear 
that  all  three  should  be  classed  together. 

Polyadelphite.  Mr.  A.  remarked  that  Dana,  in  the  new  edition 
of  his  mineralogy,  had  included  this  mineral  under  the  species 
garnet.  The  correctness  of  his  opinion  was  now  further  shown 
by  the  circumstances  of  its  occurrence  at  the  locality  which  Mr. 
A.  had  visited  the  last  year.  The  two  minerals  occur  together, 
and  pass  into  each  other,  in  the  same  manner  as  Dysluite  and 
Automalite.  It  differs  but  little  in  composition,  compared  with 
the  brown  garnet  from  Franklin,  analyzed  both  by  Dr.  Thomson 
and  Seybert. 


I 


g9  at  jru.*^.^."^*| 


In  a  former  number  of  these  Proceedings,  an  abstract  is  given 
of  a  paper  read  before  the  Society,  by  Mr.  Alger,  on  the  Identity 
of  Beaumontile  and  Lincolnite  with  Heulandite.  The  identity  of 
the  first  with  Heulandite  is  not  now  disputed  ;  but  Prof  Hitch- 
cock having  miyntained  that  the  crystals  in  Mr.  Alger's  possession 
were,  possibly,  not  the  mineral  which  he  (Prof  H.)  had  called 
Lincolnite,  but  might  be  Heulandite,  ]\Ir.  Alger  reaffirmed  his 
first  opinion,  and  gave  additional  reasons  for  its  correctness. 

Dr.  S.  Cabot,  Jr.,  stated  that  he  had  recently  received 
a  pair  of  canvass-back  ducks,  shot  near  Nevvburyport.  He 
had  known  only  one  previous  instance  of  these  birds  being 
taken  in  this  vicinity,  to  wit,  at  Fresh  Pond,  by  Capt.  N.  J. 
Wyeth. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Specimens  of  Bulimus  ovatus,  B.  planidens.  Helix  similaris, 
and  others,  from  the  Organ  Mountains,  near  Rio  Janeiro.  From 
Mrs.  Alexander  H.  Everett. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

SuUivant,  W.  S.  Musci  Alleghanlenses.  12mo.  pamph.  Co- 
lumbus, Ohio,  1845.     From  Prof.  Asa  Gray. 

Gray,  Asa.     Review  of  the  above  work.     From  the  same. 

Leonhard,  Gustav.  Handworterbuch  der  Topographischen 
Mineralogie.     8vo.     Heidelberg,  1843.     From  Francis  Alger. 

Phillips,  John.  Memoirs  of  William  Smith,  LL.  D.  8vo. 
London,  1844.     From  the  same. 

Silliman,  B,,  Jr.  Report  on  the  Chemical  Examination  of 
several  Waters  for  the  City  of  Boston.  8vo  pamph.  Boston, 
1845.     From  the  Author. 

Verhandlungen  der  Kaiserlichen  Russischen  Mineralogischen 
Gesellschaft.  8vo.  3  pamphlets.  St.  Petersburg,  1842,  1843 
and  1844.  From  the  Imperial  Mineralogical  Society  of  St. 
Petersburg. 


PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H.  11  JAN.    1846. 


90 

January  21,  1846. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 

Rev.  Edward  E.  Hale  gave  a  short  account  of  the  recent 
Journey  of  Discovery  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Fremont, 
and  of  its  scientific  resuhs,  which  he  considered  to  possess 
extraordinary  interest. 

Capt.  Fremont's  party,  consisting  of  thirty-nine  men,  left  Kansas, 
a  frontier  village  of  Missouri,  on  the  31st  of  May,  1843.  Varying 
from  the  route  of  the  year  before,  and  that  pursued  by  the  emi- 
grants, they  advanced  towards  the  Rocky  Mountains  by  the 
Republican  Fork  of  the  Platte  River.  Appointing  a  rendezvous 
at  St.  Vrain's,  Lieut.  Fremont  and  a  light  party  made  a  detour  of 
a  hundred  miles  to  the  southward,  hoping  to  find  a  more  southerly 
pass  through  the  eastern  ridge  of  the  mountains,  than  that  usually 
followed. 

In  this  expectation  he  was  disappointed.  Having  collected  his 
whole  party  again,  they  continued  westward,  across  the  Laramie 
plains,  by  a  new  route  ;  and,  by  another  detour,  he,  with  a  light 
party,  visited  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  a  saturated  solution  of  salt, 
on  which  he  and  his  crew  were  probably  the  first  navigators. 
He  rejoined  his  party  at  Hall's,  on  the  Snake  River,  and  thence 
followed  very  nearly  the  great  emigrant  road  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Columbia.  This  road  is  now  marked  out  with  perfect  distinct- 
ness, and  is  constantly  travelled.  From  the  Columbia,  he  under- 
took, in  mid  winter,  to  travel  south  to  California  :  not  near  the  sea 
coast,  as  a  party  under  Mr.  Eld,  of  the  Exploring  Expedition,  had 
done,  but  eastward  of  the  Cascade  chain  of  mountains,  and  be- 
tween one  and  two  hundred  miles  from  the  coast.  His  objects 
were  to  visit  St.  Mary's  Lake,  to  find  the  great  rivers  Sacramento 
and  Buenaventura,  which  are  laid  down,  on  the  maps,  as  draining 
all  northern  Mexico  and  southern  Oregon. 

This  bold  and  dangerous  portion  of  his  journey  establishes  a 
very  important  geographical  fact.  No  such  rivers  exist  as  the 
Sacramento  and  Buenaventura  of  the  maps.  They  drain  only  a 
district  lying  near  the  coast,  while  the  greater  part  of  the  north 
of  Mexico  and  the  south  of  Oregon  is  not  drained  by  waters 
running  into  the  Pacific.     The  Columbia  is  the  only  river  which 


91 


breaks  the  Cascade  chain  of  mountains,  for  a  long  distance  on 
the  Pacific  coast.  For  twelve  degrees  south  of  its  mouth,  no 
river  flows  into  the  ocean  but  those  which  rise  on  the  west  side  of 
these  mountains,  the  range  of  which  thus  connects,  without  inter- 
ruption, with  the  Sierra  Nevada  of  California. 

Capt.  Fremont  was  unable,  therefore,  to  follow  a  watercourse 
to  the  Pacific,  as  he  had  hoped,  and  instead  of  this,  was  compelled 
to  cross  with  his  whole  party  the  high  range  of  this  Sierra,  in 
mid  winter.  He  effected  this  between  January  19th  and  March 
6th,  without  losing  a  man.  The  lowest  point  of  the  pass  which 
he  followed,  is  nearly  eight  thousand  feet  above  the  sea.  His 
Indian  guides  thought  the  undertaking  madness,  and  all  deserted 
him  successively.  As  his  provisions  were  failing  also,  it  may  be 
considered  as  a  most  daring  and  triumphant  effort. 

He  refitted  at  Nueva  Helvetia,  travelled  southwards  till  he 
could  turn,  by  Walker's  pass,  the  southern  flank  of  this  range  of 
the  Sierra,  then,  by  the  Spanish  caravan  trail,  worked  his  way 
northeasterly  again,  until  near  the  Salt  Lake,  whose  southern 
waters  he  visited,  and  thence  returned  home  by  the  waters  of  the 
Smoky  Hill  Fork,  making  a  survey  of  the  head  waters  of  the 
great  rivers  of  the  Mississippi,  as  he  passed.  He  arrived  at 
Kansas  again,  July  31st,  1844. 

The  distance  thus  travelled  on  horseback,  with  a  few  light 
wagons  for  instruments,  and  a  mountain  howitzer,  was  five  thou- 
sand one  hundred  and  nine  miles. 

The  geographical  discovery,  the  principal  feature  of  which 
has  been  noticed,  is,  undoubtedly,  the  most  valuable  scientific 
result  of  the  expedition.  From  the  time  when  he  left  the  Salt 
Lake,  till  he  returned  to  it,  he  was  travelling  around  the  three 
sides  of  a  triangle  whose  area  is  some  two  hundred  thousand 
square  miles.  Of  this  district  little  is  known,  though  the  hunters 
and  trappers  give  terrible  accounts  of  its  sterility.  But  Capt. 
Fremont,  in  travelling  wholly  around  it,  proved  that  its  waters  do 
not  discharge  from  it  in  any  direction  into  the  ocean.  For  he 
traced  the  ranges  of  mountains  which  separate  it  from  the  Missis- 
sippi, the  Colorado,  the  Columbia  and  the  Sacramento. 

This  basin  presents  some  analogy,  therefore,  with  that  of  the 
Caspian  Sea  in  Asia.  It  may  possibly  prove  that  the  Salt  Lake 
is  the  result  of  its  system  of  rivers. 


92 


The  older  maps  have  laid  down  the  fact  that  here  were  lakes 
and  streams  not  communicating  with  the  sea.  But  the  full  limits 
of  this  mediterranean  desert  have  never  before  been  know^n. 

Capt.  Fremont  is  a  botanist,  and  speaks  with  becoming  enthu- 
siasm of  the  vegetable  wonders  of  western  America.  Unfortu- 
nately, a  great  part  of  his  collections  was  lost  or  injured.  The 
remnant  has  been  carefully  arranged  by  Dr.  Gray,  who  has 
published,  in  the  Journal  of  this  Society,  a  Conspectus  of  the  Com- 
positse,  prepared  by  himself  and  Prof.  Torrey. 

Referring  in  general  to  the  Report  for  descriptions  of  botanical 
novelties,  it  is  worthy  of  attention  that  Capt.  Fremont  describes 
five  esculent  roots  and  plants,  used  by  the  natives,  and  as  yet 
wholly  unknown  in  our  gardens,  These  are  :  Fsoralea  esculenta, 
Valeriana  edulis,  Catnassia  esculenia,  Circium  Virginianu?n, 
Erodium  cicutarium ;  besides  the  root  of  Anellium  graveolens, 
which,  it  seems,  is  the  yampah  of  the  Indians.  The  Digging 
Indians,  who  seem  to  be  at  the  lowest  limit  of  civilization,  subsist 
almost  wholly  on  these  and  on  worms  ;  and  Capt.  Fremont  and 
his  men  were  at  times  glad  to  follow  their  example,  adding,  in 
one  instance,  red  ants,  which,  it  seems,  give  a  pleasant  acid  relish. 

The  work  contains,  also,  important  contributions  to  the  zoology 
of  the  country,  especially  in  enlarging  our  knowledge  of  the 
history  and  migrations  of  the  buffalo,  and  its  present  numerical 
condition.  There  are  also  frequent  notices  of  the  mountain  sheep, 
and  other  animals,  as  yet  but  little  known. 

The  volcanic  nature  of  a  great  part  of  Oregon,  and  the  nume- 
rous and  interesting  fossils  discovered,  give  an  important  character 
to  the  geological  results  of  the  expedition.  Hot  springs  are 
mentioned  in  several  instances.  One,  in  California,  had  at  the 
surface  a  temperature  of  209°  in  mid  winter. 

The  whole  book  is  written  with  spirit,  and  it  is  highly  entertain- 
ing. Capt.  Fremont  shows  himself,  with  all  modesty,  to  be  a 
daring  and  intelligent  man. 

Prof.  Asa  Gray  stated  that  there  had  been  recently  placed 
in  his  hands  specimens  of  earthy  matter,  filled  with  finely 
broken  fragments  of  branches  of  trees,  which  were  said  to 
have  been  found  occupying  the  place  of  the  stomach  in  the 
skeleton  of  the  Mastodon  exhumed  on  Schooley's  Mountain, 


93 


N.  J.,  and  lately  exhibited  in  this  city.  As  similar  observa- 
tions are  said  to  have  been  made  in  several  instances,  Prof. 
Gray  was  induced  to  examine  the  substances  brought  to 
him. 

The  wood  evidently  consisted  of  branchlets  of  one,  two  and 
three  years  old,  broken,  quite  uniformly,  into  bits  of  half  an  inch 
or  so  in  length,  with  only,  now  and  then,  traces  of  the  bark  re- 
maining on  the  wood.  The  wood  was  not  at  all  fossilized,  and 
was  but  slightly  decayed.  From  the  appearance  of  the  branch- 
lets  examined.  Prof.  Gray  inferred  that  they  belonged  to  some 
coniferous  tree  or  shrub,  and,  probably,  to  a  kind  of  spruce  or  fir, 
rather  than  to  a  true  pine.  This  inference  was  borne  out  by  the 
examination  of  thin  slices  of  the  wood  by  the  microscope.  The 
woody  fibre  was  very  beautifully  and  distinctly  marked  with  the 
circular  discs  that  are  characteristic  of  all  coniferous  wood.  The 
structure  agreed  quite  perfectly  with  that  in  similar  branchlets  of 
the  common  hemlock  spruce. 

Dr.  S.  Cabot  remarked  upon  the  internal  organization  of  a 
male  specimen  of  Fuligula  spectabilis,  lately  procured  by 
him  in  Boston  market. 

Dr.  C.  mentioned  some  external  appearances,  which  have  not 
been  described  in  the  accounts  heretofore  given  of  this  bird. 
The  color  of  the  legs  and  toes  is  bright  yellow  (not  orange.) 
Two  of  the  inner  tertiaries  are  deeply  scooped  out,  as  it  were,  on 
their  extremities,  and  seem  inclined  to  stand  up,  on  their  edges, 
from  a  twist  in  their  shafts,  somewhat  like  those  of  the  Mandarin 
duck. 

The  superior  larynx  is  I-  of  an  inch  long,  by  f  across.  The 
trachea  is  7|  inches  in  length,  to  the  bifurcation  of  the  bronchial 
tubes.  At  the  lower  end  of  the  trachea,  is  a  rounded  bony  box, 
J-f  of  an  inch  in  its  transverse  diameter,  and  j\  in  its  perpendicular 
diameter  on  the  left  or  largest  side.  The  left  bronchus  is  1^ 
inches  long,  and  considerably  dilated  in  its  central  parts.  The 
right  bronchus  is  1|  inches  long,  calibre  equal  throughout.  The 
whole  length  of  the  alimentary  canal  is  86  inches.  Half  way 
between  gizzard  and  anus,  there  was  found  a  small  appendix,  |  of 


94 


an  inch  in  length,  and  |  of  an  inch  in  width  when  flattened  out, 
entering  the  intestine  at  a  right  angle,  and  communicating  with  it 
by  an  orifice  somewhat  smaller  than  the  calibre  of  the  appendix 
itself.  The  coecal  appendices  were  about  6^  inches  in  length. 
The  gizzard  was  very  large  and  strong,  being  2|  inches  in  its 
longest  diameter,  and  having  muscles  1  inch  in  thickness ;  it  con- 
tained fragments  of  shells  broken  into  small  pieces  ;  its  lining 
membrane  was  very  tough  and  hard,  being  |^  of  an  inch  in 
thickness. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Numerous  specimens  of  minerals  and  fossils,  collected  in  Col. 
Kearney's  Expedition  in  the  Territory  at  the  eastern  base  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  From  Lt.  J.  H.  Carlton,  U.  S.  Dragoons, 
and  Mr.  Henry  Loring,  Jr. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts.  Second  Series,  No.  1. 
Jan.,  1846.     From  the  Editors. 

Magazine  of  Horticulture.    For  Jan.,  1846.    From  the  Editors. 


February  4,  1846. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


The  President  read  a  letter  from  George  Lister,  M.  D.,  of 
Washington  county,  Alabama,  concerning  the  fossil  bones 
collected  there  by  Dr.  Koch,  and  since  exhibited  in  this  and 
other  cities,  as  the  remains  of  an  extinct  animal,  under  the 
name  of  Hydrarchos.  The  circumstances  which  elicited 
this  letter,  were  as  follow.  It  was  stated,  by  Dr.  Koch, 
that  the  bones  had  been  found  together,  in  a  position  which 
proved  that  they  belonged  to  one  individual,  and  that  the 
vertebrae  formed  a  complete  and  integral  series,  arranged  in 
the  order  in  which  they  were  lying  when  discovered.     This 


95 


assertion  was  shown,  by  Prof.  Wyman,  in  a  paper  read 
before  this  Society,  to  be  a  mere  fabrication,  and  the  condi- 
tion and  character  of  the  various  bones  were  cited  as  evi- 
dence that  they  could  not  have  belonged  to  one  individual, 
and  that  their  arrangement  was  entirely  factitious.  Of  this, 
there  could  be  no  doubt  among  persons  competent  to  form 
a  correct  opinion,  but,  as  it  was  desirable  to  know  how  far 
Prof.  Wyman's  judgment  was  confirmed  by  the  history  of 
the  discovery  of  the  fossils  themselves.  Dr.  Lister,  a  gentle- 
man living  near  the  locality  of  Dr.  Koch's  discoveries,  was 
applied  to  for  information.  His  reply  was  put  into  the 
hands  of  the  President,  and  Dr.  Lister  had  authorized  such 
use  to  be  made  of  it  as  might  be  useful. 

Dr.  Lister's  letter  is  dated  Old  Court  House,  Washington 
county,  Alabama,  December  7th,  1845.  The  writer  states  that 
there  is  a  tract  of  fertile  woodland  prairie,  with  a  black  soil,  ex- 
tending from  Mississippi,  in  a  southeast  direction,  through  Ala- 
bama. Its  whole  length  is  about  one  hundred  and  fifteen  miles. 
It  is  covered,  here  and  there,  in  many  places,  by  sharks'  teeth, 
marine  shells,  and  the  bones  of  aquatic  animals,  all  of  which  are 
evidences  of  a  deposit,  made  at  the  bottom  of  an  estuary  or  arm 
of  the  sea.  Such  bones  as  those  of  the  Hydrarchos,  and  par- 
ticularly the  vertebrae,  can  be  collected  in  great  numbers  by  any 
one  who  will  take  the  trouble,  as  Dr.  Koch  did,  to  hunt  out  the 
various  parts  ;  but  it  is  very  uncommon,  and  almost  impossible, 
to  discover  the  bones  of  one  individual,  or  any  considerable  part 
of  them,  in  their  natural  arrangement. 

It  was  in  this  prairie,  near  the  Old  Court  House,  in  Washington 
county,  that  Dr.  Koch  found  a  considerable  portion  of  the  bones 
now  constituting  the  Hydrarchos,  lying  upon,  or  near,  the  surface 
of  the  earth.  They  were  not  lying  in  their  natural  position,  so 
as  to  constitute  an  unbroken  series,  but  were  scattered  here  and 
there.  Some  days  after  finding  some  of  the  bones  of  the  anterior 
extremities,  and  some  ribs  and  vertebra?,  he  went  into  the  State 
of  Mississippi,  hoping  to  discover  a  cranium.  In  this  he  was  un- 
successful ;  but  after  his  return,  he  found  the  bone  supposed  by 
him  to  be  a  cranium,  and  the  lower  jaw,  in  a  heap  of  stones, 


96 


where  they  had  been  thrown  by  the  negroes  when  the  land  was 
cleared  for  cultivation.  He  also  procured  others  of  the  bones  in 
Clark  county,  at  a  place  twenty  miles  distant,  and  some  wagon- 
loads  of  them  at  another  place  seven  miles  distant  from  the  spot 
where  he  got  the  most  interesting  part  of  them. 

Dr.  Lister  was  not  present  at  the  actual  exhumation  of  the 
bones  ;  but,  on  the  invitation  of  Dr.  Koch,  he  examined  them  at 
the  Court  House,  and  saw  enough  to  convince  him  that  Dr.  Koch 
could  have  made  his  skeleton  three  hundred  feet  long,  as  easily 
as  one  hundred  and  fourteen  feet. 

Dr.  Lister  adds  that  the  people  of  his  neighborhood  had  been 
very  much  amused  by  the  accounts  of  the  wonderful  animal 
which  had  appeared  in  the  New  York  newspapers,  and  by  the 
various  opinions  which  had  been  pronounced  upon  it  by  learned 
gentlemen. 

A  letter,  addressed  to  the  President  by  Mr.  John  Barllett, 
now  engaged  in  a  zoological  exploration  in  the  south-western 
States,  dated  Natchez,  January  10,  1846,  was  read. 

Mr.  Bartlett  said  that  he  had  received  authentic  information 
that  the  bones  of  Zeuglodon  are  found  near  Natchez,  in  a  blue 
clay  of  the  tertiary  beds.  He  had  seen,  in  the  possession  of  C. 
G.  Forshey,  Esq.,  of  Vidalia,  La.,  vertebras  of  the  same  animal, 
procured  from  a  stratum  of  marl,  among  the  older  tertiary  beds 
of  Ouachita  Bluff,  eighty  feet  above  the  level  of  Ouachita  River. 
The  shells  associated  with  them,  at  the  last-mentioned  locality, 
are,  Ostrea,  Peclen,  Isocardia,  FissureUa,  and  Dentalium.  This 
observation  seems  to  confirm  the  original  opinion  of  Dr.  Harlan, 
that  the  Zeuglodon  belonged  to  the  tertiary  era,  an  opinion  that 
has  been  latterly  superseded  by  the  belief  that  its  remains  were 
derived  from  the  cretaceous  strata.  It  is  probable  that  its  sup- 
posed position  in  the  latter,  rather  than  its  zoological  affinities, 
led  Dr.  Harlan  to  consider  it  to  be  a  saurian,  and  not  a  cetacean, 
as  it  is  now  acknowledged  to  be. 

Dr.  N.  B.  ShurtlefF  informed  the  Society  that  the  splendid 
and  most  valuable  skeleton  of  Mastodon  giganteum,  ex- 
humed in  August,  1845,  from  a  marl-pit,  six  miles  west  of 
Newburg,  Orange  county,  New  York,  had  arrived  in   the 


97 


city.  He  knew  that  the  members,  and  all  friendsof  science 
would  be  gratified  to  learn  that  it  had  been  purchased  by  a 
scientific  gentleman,  with  a  view  of  giving  it  a  permanent 
place  among  us.  By  the  hberality  of  the  proprietor,  it  would 
be  accessible  to  naturalists  for  scientific  purposes,  and  would 
always  constitute  an  object  of  great  scientific  interest.  This 
munificent  purchase  enabled  us  to  claim  for  Boston  the 
honor  of  possessing  the  two  most  perfect  and  the  only  au- 
thentic integral  skeletons  of  the  Mastodon.  The  one,  a 
female,  the  subject  of  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson's  notice,  on  pp. 
60  —  62  of  this  volume,  soon  to  be  placed  in  the  halls  of 
Harvard  College,  and  the  other,  a  male,  now  in  preparation 
for  its  owner.  Dr.  ShurtlefT  announced  the  proprietor  to  be 
Dr.  John  C.  Warren. 

Dr.  S.  said  that  it  was  not  his  intention  to  give  a  detailed 
description  of  the  skeleton,  as  that  would  be  done  in  a  short  time 
by  a  distinguished  anatomist.  He  would  mention,  however,  that 
its  height  is  eleven  feet,  its  length,  in  a  straight  line  from  the 
most  anterior  part  of  the  cranium  to  the  most  posterior  part  of  the 
pelvis,  is  fourteen  feet  four  inches,  and  the  extreme  width  of  the 
pelvis  six  feet  two  inches.  The  bones  are  in  a  remarkable  state 
of  preservation,  and  have  very  nearly  the  appearance  of  recent 
specimens.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  phalangeal  and  caudal 
bones,  and  the  posterior  portion  of  the  sternum,  the  skeleton  is 
entire.^ 

Dr.  ShurtlefT  being  himself  engaged  in  articulating  and  mount- 
ing the  skeleton,  thought  it  might  be  interesting  to  mention  the 
manner  of  doing  it.  The  missing  bones  are  replaced  by  imita- 
tions. In  restoring  the  absent  phalangeal  bones,  the  correspond- 
ent ones  of  the  opposite  side,  which  fortunately  were  perfect, 
offered  the  means  of  doing  so  correctly,  by  using  reversed  models 
of  them.  The  deficient  portion  of  the  sternum  is  copied  from 
that  of  the  Asiatic  elephant  belonging  to  the  Society.  The 
caudal  vertebra3   are   supplied,  in  part  by  models  from  another 

1  A  description  of  this  skeleton  is  given  in  the  American  Quarterly  Journal  of 
Agriculture  and  Science,  vol.  ii.  p.  203.  The  number  of  the  dorsal  vertebrae  is 
there  erroneously  stated  lo  be  nineteen.     The  actual  number  is  twenty. 


98 


skeleton,  and  in  part  by  others  made  according  to  Dr.  S.'s  judg- 
nnent.  In  forming  the  imitation-cartilages  of  the  ribs,  Dr.  S. 
attached  six  of  them  to  the  sternum,  that  being  the  number  of 
true  ribs  in  the  Society's  skeleton  of  the  elephant,  and  the  infer- 
ence being  a  fair  one  that,  the  number  of  dorsal  vertebrae  and  ribs 
being  the  same  in  the  Mastodon  and  elephant,  the  number  of  true 
ribs  would  also  correspond. 

The  skeleton  is  to  be  placed  on  a  platform  in  the  shape  of  a 
double  cross,  and  to  be  supported  by  strong  iron  rods,  arranged  so 
as  to  be  nearly  out  of  sight  when  the  skeleton  is  viewed  laterally  : 
viz.,  the  anterior  part  of  the  chest  by  a  rod  in  the  shape  of  an  in- 
verted II  between  the  anterior  extremities,  to  which  each  of  these 
is  attached  by  a  clamp  ;  while  its  weight  is  sustained  by  an  iron 
T  secured  to  the  carpus  ;  and  the  posterior  part  of  the  trunk  by  iron 
bars  crossing  each  other  in  the  shape  of  an  X,  and  attached  above  by 
bolts  to  the  lower  part  of  the  pelvis,  and  below  to  the  cross.  Each 
posterior  extremity  is  sustained  in  position  by  an  iron  T  screwed 
to  the  tarsal  bones,  while  the  head  of  the  femur  is  secured  in  the 
acetabulum  by  a  strong  bolt ;  the  head  is  made  firm  by  two  cross 
bars  (similar  to  those  used  for  the  posterior  part  of  the  skeleton,) 
attached  above  to  the  most  anterior  part  of  the  cranium,  and 
below  to  the  platform  and  between  the  fore  feet.  Two  other 
rods,  placed  longitudinally,  are  arranged  so  as  to  serve  as  braces. 

In  mounting  this  skeleton,  every  exaggeration  has  been  studi- 
ously avoided,  it  having  been  the  endeavor  of  Dr.  S.  to  put  the 
bones  as  nearly  as  possible  in  their  natural  position  as  indicated 
by  their  articulating  surfaces  and  by  analogies. 

Dr.  S.  also  mentioned  that  the  skeleton  of  the  largest  Asiatic 
elephant  hitherto  brought  to  this  country,  would  soon  be  mounted, 
and  remain  permanently  in  the  city. 

Dr.  Gould  exhibited  a  collection  of  shells,  sent  from 
Tavoy,  in  Burmah,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mason.  Among  them 
he  distinguished  and  characterized  the  following  undescribed 
species : 

Helix  saturnia.  Testa  magna,  lenticularis,  pallide  rubido- 
cornea,  ad  peripheriam  costato-carinata,  late  et  profunde  umbili- 
cata  :  anfr.  5  planulatis,  spira  depresso-conica,  sutura  nr^^     ^m. 


99 


marginata  :  subtus  convexa,  costulis  obsoletis  cincta  :  apertura 
ampla,  rhomboidea,  peristomale  revoluto. 

Diam.  2  ;  alt.  li  poll.     Hab.  Tavoy. 

In  size  and  form  it  is  like  H.  lampas  from  Jamaica  ;  but  differs 
especially  in  having  a  broad,  deep  umbilicus. 

Helix  refuga.  Testa  sinistrorsa,  discoidea,  supra  plana,  infra 
concava,  viridi-cornea  :  anfr.  6  arete  volutis,  confertim  striatis, 
ultimo  prope  aperluram  deflexo  ;  sutura  impressa  :  apertura  per- 
obliqua,  subcordiformi,  peristomate  albo,  reflexo,  callo  sinuoso 
connexo  ;  fauce  lamella  alba,  flexuosa,  ad  anfractum  penultimum 
volvente. 

Diam.  -^  ;  alt.  -^  poll.     Hab.  Tavoy. 

This  remarkable  shell  is  almost  exactly  like  H.  carabinaia, 
Fer.,  except  that  it  is  reversed,  and  has  no  lamellae  revolving 
within  the  outer  lip. 

Helix  ho^^esta.  Testa  orbicularis,  depressa,  subcarinata, 
tenuis,  nitida,  submargaritacea,  straminea  vel  albida,  sub-perfo- 
rata,  subtus  lineis  subtilibus  volventibus  striata  :  anfr.  5  convexis  ; 
sutura  lineari,  marginata  :  apertura  lunala,  labro  simplici,  acu- 
tissimo,  ad  umbilicum  reflexo. 

Diam.  -^^  ;  alt.  }  poll.     Hab.  Tavoy. 

A  plain,  simple  shell,  resembling  H.fusca  more  than  any  other 
species  I  have  seen.     It  is,  probably,  a  Nanina. 

BuLiMUS  MONiLiFERUS.  Tcsta  conico-oblongata,  plerumque 
sinistrorsa,  Isevis,  luteo-cinerea,  flammulis  longitudinalibus,  fascia 
suturali  lineari,  et  fascia  subsuturali  interrupta  fuscis  ;  regione 
umbilicali  fusca,  fascia  lutea  divisa  :  anfr.  7,  ultimo  subcarinato ; 
apertura  subovata,  basi  angulata,  sub-effusa  ;  labro  reflexo,  rubro- 
purpureo,  ad  columellam  dilatato  ;  fauce  purpurea. 

Long.  1| ;  lat.  y\^  poll.     Hab.  Tavoy. 

Differs  from  B.  contrarius  and  B.  Iccvus^  Mull.,  by  its  angular 
aperture,  and  the  color  of  its  lip  and  throat.  The  interrupted  line, 
just  in  front  of  the  suture,  exists  in  all  the  specimens  I  have  seen. 
It  does  not  always  occur  reversed. 

Pl'PA  mellita.  Testa  parva,  subfusiformis,  pcllucida,  nitida, 
straminea,  apice  obtusa  :  anfr.  7  convexis  ;  sutura  impressa,  den- 
ticulata  :  apertura  ampla,  subquadrata,  plica  columellari,  plica 
basali,  plica  labiali  et  lamella  posteriori  ringens  :  peritremate  un- 
dulata,  reflexa,  alba. 


100 


Long,  ^jj  ;  lat.  -^^  poll.     Hab.  Tavoy,  in  hortis. 

The  general  aspect  of  the  shell  is  not  unlike  that  of  Achatina 
octona,  in  company  with  which  it  was  found. 

SucciNEA  SEMisERicA.  Testa  fragilis,  ovalis,  a  tergo  depressa, 
postice  straminea,  antice  albido-sericea,  longitudinaliter  plicoso- 
striata  :  anfr.  2^,  ultimo  maximo  ;  apertura  ovata,  patula  faciem 
inferiorem  fere  adequante. 

Long.  ^  ;  lat.  -^^  ;  alt.  -2%  poll.     Hab.  Tavoy,  in  hortis. 

Its  shape  is  like  S.  tigrina,  Fer.,  and  it  is  well  characterized  by 
the  peculiar  silky-white  or  pearly  surface  of  the  anterior  half  of 
the  shell. 

Melania  Herculea.  Testa  ponderosa,  elongato-conica,  fusco- 
viridis,  decoUata  :  anfr.,  numero  integro  ad  15,  superstitibus  2-5, 
planulatis,  infra  suturam  constrictis,  plicis  profundis  4-nodosis 
longitudinal ibus  ;  ultimo  subcarinato,  basi  striis  crassis  cincto  : 
apertura  subrhomboidali,  antice  producta,  callo  columellari  rotun- 
dato,  crasso,  fauce  plus  minusve  fusco. 

Long.  3  poll. ;  lat.  1  poll.     Hab.  Tavoy  River. 

This  is  the  largest  Melania  with  which  I  am  acquainted,  and  is 
very  massive.  It  differs  from  the  large  Melania  found  about 
Calcutta  (of  which,  also,  I  am  unable  to  find  any  description,)  by 
its  larger  size,  darker  color,  more  numerous  folds,  which  bear 
about  four  tubercles  each,  instead  of  having  usually  only  a  median 
carina  bearing  acute  tubercles. 

Amnicola  cincta.  Testa  minuta,  tenuis,  ovato-oblongata,  im- 
perforata,  pallide  cornea,  decollata  :  anfr.  (superstitibus)  3,  ven- 
tricosis,  ultimo  magno,  subcarinato,  lineis  volventibus,  et  interdum 
fascia  fusca,  cincto  :  apertura  ovata,  basi  admodum  producta, 
labro  simplici. 

Long,  baud  j^^  poll.     Hab.  fluv.  Tenasserim,  Burmah. 

Nucula  turgida.  Testa  alba  (dealbata,)  sub-equilateralis,  sub- 
rhomboidea,  postice  acuta,  antice  rotundata,  ventricosa,  margine 
ventrali  pendente,  ubique  lamellis  concentricis  oblusis  reflexis 
confertis  ornata  :  natibus  prominentibus ;  cardine  dentibus  21 
utroque  latere  instructa. 

Long.  4  ;  lat.  -^  ;  alt.  3/^  poll.     Hab. 

This  must  resemble  closely  N.  tiunida,  Reeve,  but  is  in  no 
wise  angular  anteriorly. 


101 


Dr.  Gould  also  described  a  species  of  Bulimus,  from  the 
Organ  Mountains,  Brazil,  lately  presented  to  the  Society  by 
Mrs.  A.  H.  Everett. 

Bulimus  turnix.  Testa  oblongo-ovata,  a  tergo  compressa, 
nitida,  cervina,  flammulis  albidis  quodammodo  seriatis  marmo- 
rata,  longitudinalitcr  striata,  lineis  granulosis  volventibus  decus- 
sata  :  anfr.  5  convexis,  ultimo  magno  :  apertura  ovali,  peristomate 
valde  revoluto,  rosaceo  :  columella  obliqua,  pliciformi :  umbilico 
obliquo,  rimato. 

Long.  2}  ;  lat.  ii  X  t'o  ;  apert.  l-fu  poU- 

Its  surface  is  covered  with  shining,  longitudinally  compressed 
granules,  like  B.  goniosloma,  and  evidently  belongs  to  the  same 
group  ;  but,  in  other  respects,  it  is  more  like  B.  pudicus  and  B. 
Bolivarii.     Few  exceed  it  in  beauty. 

Information  having  been  received  that  the  authorized 
edition  of  the  scientific  portion  of  the  history  of  the  late 
U.  S.  Exploring  Expedition  would  consist  of  only  one  hun- 
dred copies,  a  number  entirely  inadequate  to  supply  the 
wants  of  the  scientific  public  ;  it  was 

Voted,  That  the  interests  of  science  require  that  an  effort 
should  be  made  to  induce  the  Government  to  enlarge  the 
edition  very  considerably,  so  that  the  work  may  be  procured 
by  institutions  and  individuals,  other  than  those  to  whom 
copies  may  be  presented  by  law  ;  and  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  and 
Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  Jr.,  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
address  the  proper  authorities  in  this  behalf. 

J.  H.  Carlton,  Lt.  U.  S.  Army,  was  elected  a  correspond- 
ing member,  and  Mr.  Henry  Loring,  Jr.,  of  Boston,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Society. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Annual  Report  of  the  Kentucky  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb.     1846.     Donor  unknown. 

Morris,  J.  E.  Contributions  towards  a  History  of  Entomology 
in  the  United  States.  8vo  pamph.  Washington,  1844.  From 
the  Author. 


102 

February  18,  1846. 

The  President  in  the  Chair. 

A  letter  from  J.  G.  Norwood,  M.  D.,  of  Madison,  Indiana, 
communicated  by  Prof.  H.  D.  Rogers,  was  read. 

Dr.  Norwood  announced  the  discovery  of  fossil  fishes,  at  a 
locality  sixteen  miles  north  of  Madison.  They  are,  probably,  of 
the  genus  Ceplialaspis.  He  believes  them  to  be  the  first  fossils 
of  the  kind  found  in  the  west,  and  hopes  that  they  may  aid  in 
determining  the  western  equivalents  of  eastern  and  foreign  forma- 
tions. He  expressed  an  intention  of  publishing  a  description  of 
the  fossils  and  of  their  position. 

A  letter  from  W.  H.  Barris,  of  Ellsworth,  Trumbull 
county,  Ohio,  was  read.  It  accompanied  a  crystal  (hemi- 
trope)  of  Selenite,  found,  imbedded  in  a  stratum  of  blue 
clay,  in  that  vicinity. 

A  paper  was  read,  communicated  by  Prof.  C.  B.  Adams, 
containing  descriptions  of  undescribed  species  of  shells,  from 
the  island  of  Jamaica,  viz., 

Planorbis  pallidus.  p.  t.  dextra  convexa,  apice  depressa, 
sinistra,  concava  ;  anfractibus  vix  tribus,  ultimo  maximo  ;  aper- 
tura  maxima,  transversa. 

Diam.  .4  ;  alt.  .125  poll.     Hab.  Jamaica. 

Cyclostoma  MARiTiMUM.  C.  t.  clougata,  decollata,  aurantia, 
costulis  exilibus  plurimis  eleganter  ornata  ;  sutura  exile  crenulata  ; 
anfractibus  duobus  perditis,  septem  reliquis  ;  umbilico  minimo  ; 
apertura  ab  anfractu  penultimo  disjuncta,  supra  angulata  et  auri- 
culata  ;  labro  acuto. 

Div.  30°.     Alt.  .63  ;  lat.  .27  poll.     Hab.  Jamaica. 

Helicina  affinis.  H.  soUtarice,  nob.,  affinis,  sed  t.  spira 
conica  baud  convexa,  instructa  ;  labro  reflexo,  infra  angulato, 
baud  scisso.     Hab.  Jamaica. 

Pupa  rosea.  P.  cylindro,  Desh.,  afiinis,  sed  t.  rosacea,  costu- 
lis parvulis  distantibus  ornata.     Hab.  Jamaica. 


103 


Lima  pellucida.  L.  t.  tenuissima,  hyalina,  costulis  quadra- 
ginta  tenuissimis  instructa. 

Long.  .41 ;  alt.  .63  ;  lat.  .25  poll.  L.  Loscomhii,  Sowb.,  afE- 
nis.     Hab.  Jamaica. 

Dr.  Gould  read  a  letter  from  Prof.  James  Hall,  announcing 
that  he  had  in  his  possession  a  fossil  skull  of  a  large  Rodent, 
found  in  Wayne  county,  New  York,  which  he  proposed  to 
describe  and  offer  the  description  to  this  Society. 

Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  laid  upon  the  table  a  Synopsis  of  the 
Fishes  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  prepared  from  the  papers  of 
Prof.  J.  P.  Kirtland,  published  in  the  Journal  of  this  Society. 

Dr.  S.  remarked  that,  as  this  series  of  descriptions  is  now  com- 
pleted, it  had  become  desirable  to  know  their  results,  and  these  he 
had  endeavored  to  exhibit  in  the  paper  now  offered.  Besides 
being  a  synopsis  of  the  families,  genera  and  species  of  the  fishes 
of  that  State,  so  far  as  they  are  at  present  known,  he  had  given 
to  it  the  character  of  an  index,  by  appending  to  it  a  reference  to 
the  volume  and  page  of  the  Journal  where  the  description  of  each 
species  may  be  found.  He  hoped  thus  to  abridge  the  labors  of 
the  student,  who  would  otherwise  be  obliged  to  extend  his  search 
through  eleven  different  numbers  of  the  Journal. 

FERCIDiE. 

Perca  flavescens,     . 
Etheostoma  variata, 
"  maculata. 

"  caprodes,   . 

"  blennioides, 

Labrax  multilinealus,   . 
Lucioperca  americana, 
Cenlrarchas  hexacanthus, 
"  aeneus, 

"  fasciatus,  . 

Pomolis  macrochira, 
"         vulgaris, 
"         nitida. 

TRIGLID^. 

Cottus  gobio,     . 
Gasterosteus  inconstans, 

SCIENID^. 

Corvina  oscula,  .  .  .      III.     350.  VI. 


Vol. 

Page. 

Plate. 

Fig. 

V. 

335. 

XXVII. 

2. 

III. 

274. 

(( 

« 

(( 

276. 

(( 

3. 

" 

346. 

V. 

3. 

K 

343. 

VI. 

1. 

V. 

21. 

VII. 

1. 

IV. 

237. 

IX. 

2. 

III. 

480. 

XXIX. 

2. 

IV. 

239. 

XI. 

1. 

V. 

28. 

IX. 

1. 

III. 

469. 

XXVII. 

3. 

<' 

470. 

XXVIII. 

2. 

IC 

472. 

XXVIII. 

1. 

V. 

342. 

III. 

273. 

II. 

1. 

104 


Vol.       Page.  Plate.  Fig. 

SILURID^. 

Pimelodus  nebulosus, 

"  cxipreus, 

"  ccEFulescens, 

"  limosus, 

Notiirus  flavus, 

CYPRIMD^. 

Leuciscus  elongatus,     . 
«'  dissimilis, 

"  biguttatus,     . 

"  cephalus, 

"  erythrogaster, 

"  crysoleucas, 

«'  compressus, 

"         plagyrus, 
"  kentuckiensis, 

«'  Storerianus, 

'=  dorsalis, 

"  diplemia, 

Pimephales  promelas,  . 
Catostomus  aureolus, 
"  communis, 

"  bubalus, 

"  elongatus, 

"  Duquesnii, 

"  anisurus,    . 

"  melanops, 

"  nigricans,  . 

Sclerognathus  cypriuus, 
Exoglossum  dubium,  . 
Hydrargira  limi,      . 

ESOCID.E. 
Esox  reticulatus,  .  .  .IV.     233.  X.  2. 

»      eslor,  ...  V.       337.     XXVIII.     3. 

SALMONID^. 

Salmo  fontinalis,            .             .             .       IV.  3Q5.  XIV.  2. 

"       namycush,    ..."  25.  III.  2. 

Coregonus  albus,          .            .            .      III.  477.  XXVIII.  3. 

Artedi,  ...             IV.  231.  IX.  1. 

CLUPEIDJ3. 
1  Pom6lobus  chrysochloris,         .  .       IV.     307.         XV.         3. 


V. 

330. 

XXVI. 

(( 

339. 

XXIX. 

2. 

C( 

333. 

XXVII. 

1. 

(( 

340. 

XXIX. 

3. 

« 

332. 

XXVI. 

2. 

III. 

339. 

IV. 

1. 

(C 

341. 

IV. 

2. 

(t 

344. 

V- 

1. 

({ 

345. 

(( 

2. 

IV. 

23. 

11. 

2. 

(( 

305. 

XV. 

1. 

u 

306. 

" 

2. 

V. 

26. 

VIII. 

2. 

(( 

27. 

(( 

3. 

(( 

30. 

IX. 

2. 

(( 

274. 

XXII. 

1. 

(C 

276. 

(( 

3. 

III. 

475. 

XXVII. 

2. 

III. 

349. 

VI. 

2. 

V. 

265. 

XIX. 

1. 

" 

266. 

(( 

2. 

ct 

267- 

C( 

3. 

(C 

263. 

XX. 

1. 

(( 

269. 

C( 

2. 

(( 

271. 

(( 

3. 

(( 

273. 

XXI. 

3. 

IV. 

275. 

XXII. 

2. 

V. 

272. 

XXI. 

1. 

III. 

277. 

II. 

4. 

1  In  revising  the  descriptions  of  the  western  fishes  for  the  pages  of  the  Journal, 
I  placed  this  species  under  the  genus  Alosa.  I  had,  however,  never  seen  a  recent 
specimen,  and  being  therefore  not  quite  satisfied  of  my  correctness,  I  have  pre- 
ferred to  follow  Rafinesque's  arrangement  in  my  Synopsis.  d.  h.  s. 


105 


r 


T,n:t-r 


Amia  calva, 
Chatoessus  ellipticus,  . 
Hyodon  tergissus, 

Vol. 

III. 

.       IV. 

V. 

Page. 
479. 
235. 
338. 

Plate. 

XXIX. 

X. 
XXVIII. 

Fig. 

1. 
1. 

1,  2. 

SAURID^. 

Lepisosteus  oxyurus,    . 
ferox,  . 
•'            platostomus, 

.      IV. 

16. 
18. 
20. 

I. 

« 

2. 
3. 

GADIDi. 

Lota  maculosa, 

IV. 

24. 

III. 

1. 

ANGUILLIDJ3. 

Anguilla  lutea,  . 

.      IV. 

234. 

XI. 

2. 

PETROMY^NID-E. 

Petromyzon  argenteus, 
AmmoccEtes  concolor,  . 

III. 

342. 
473. 

IV. 
XXVII. 

3. 

STURIONID^. 

Acipenser  rubicundus, 

"          platorynchus, 
Polyodon  folium,    . 
Plalirostra  edentula, 

IV. 
.      V. 

IV. 
.      V. 

303. 
25. 
21. 
22. 

XIV. 
VIII. 

II. 

VII. 

1. 
1. 
1. 
2. 

C.  G.  Forshey,  Esq.,  of  Vidalia,  Louisiana,  was  elected  a 
Corresponding  Member. 

John  H.  Dix,  M.  D.,  and  W.  J.  Dale,  M.  D.,  were  elected 
Members  of  the  Society. 


ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 


Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadel- 
phia. For  November  and  December,  1845.  8vo.  pp.  287  to 
325.     From  the  Academy. 


March  4,  1846. 

The  President  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  made  a  verbal  statement  concerning  a 
species  of  Esox  received  by  him,  since  the  last  meeting  of 

PROCEEDINGS   B.    S.    N.    H.  12  APRIL,    1846. 


106 

the   Society,  from   Mr.  William  Henry,  of  Bellows  Falls, 
N.  H. 

Dr.  S.  observed  that  the  species  is  a  beautiful  one,  and  differs 
from  the  only  two  species  of  this  genus  he  had  previously 
seen,  viz.,  E.  estor,  and  E.  reticulatus,  but  agrees  perfectly 
with  Richardson's  description  of  E.  lucius,  in  his  Fauna  Boreali- 
Annericana,  Vol.  IV.  p.  124.  According  to  Mr.  Henry,  this 
species  was  originally  introduced,  from  Lake  Champlain,  into 
ponds  connected  with  Black  River,  Windsor  Co.,  Vermont,  and 
thence  carried  into  the  Connecticut  River.  He  had  known,  in 
some  seasons,  one  hundred  or  more  to  be  taken  at  Bellows  Falls, 
weighing  each  from  one  to  fourteen  pounds.  Dr.  S.  remarked  that, 
although  Richardson  had  stated  that  his  "  specimen,  taken  in 
Lake  Huron,  was  submitted  to  Cuvier's  inspection,  and  had  also 
been  carefully  compared  with  the  English  pike,  without  any 
specific  differences  having  been  detected,"  American  ichthyolo- 
gists had  been  slow  in  acknowledging  the  two  to  be  identical, 
believing  the  same  fluviatile  species  not  to  exist  on  both  continents. 
Dr.  Dekay  had  admitted  E.  lucms,  with  a  query,  into  his  "  Re- 
port," and  he  (Dr.  S.)  had  done  the  same  in  his  "  Synopsis." 

Dr.  S.  hoped  to  be  able  soon  to  have  another  specimen,  when 
he  should  exhibit  it  to  the  Society  and  have  it  figured. 

Dr.  S.  further  remarked  that,  with  all  due  deference  to  the 
authority  of  distinguished  naturalists  abroad,  he  was,  each  suc- 
ceeding year,  less  willing  to  rely  upon  their  opinions  in  matters 
of  doubt,  touching  the  fishes  of  this  country,  unless  good  reasons 
were  given  for  those  opinions.  To  illustrate  his  remark,  he 
spoke  of  the  common  smelt.  In  the  year  1818,  Lesueur  described 
this  species,  as  new,  in  the  1st  vol.  of  the  Jour.  Ac.  Nat.  Sc.  of 
Philadelphia,  under  the  name  of  Osmerus  viridescens.  Cuvier,  in 
his  Regne  Animal,  made  no  mention  of  this  species  ;  and  hence 
Richardson  observed,  in  his  Fauna  Boreali- Americana,  "  As 
Cuvier,  though  well  acquainted  with  Mr.  Lesueur's  ichthyological 
papers,  has  not  noticed  this  smelt  in  his  Regne  Anwial,  we  may 
infer  that  he  did  not  consider  its  title  to  rank  as  a  species  suffi- 
ciently established."  Dr.  S.,  in  his  Report  on  the  Fishes  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, had,  accordingly,  considered  Artedi's  specific  name, 
eperlanus,  as  having  the  priority,  there  probably  being  but  one 
smelt.     To  settle  this  point,  he  transmitted  to  Mr.  Yarrell,  the 


107 


well-known  British  ichthyologist,  specimens  of  our  species,  and 
wished  him  carefully  to  compare  them  with  the  English  fish. 
The  remarks  of  that  gentleman  upon  this  species,  which  will 
appear  in  Dr.  S.'s  "  Synopsis,"  show  the  species  to  be  distinct 
from  each  other,  and  that  our  fish  is  Lesueur's  O.  viridescens. 

Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  remarked  upon  the  occurrence  of  Esox 
lucius  in  Connecticut  River,  as  stated  by  Dr.  Storer. 

He  said  that  he  hoped  that  Dr.  S.  would  give  the  subject  a 
very  thorough  examination,  before  he  admitted  this  as  a  fact.  He 
had  himself,  after  much  consideration,  and  with  favorable  oppor- 
tunities for  observation,  adopted  the  opinion  that  no  fluviatile 
species  exists  both  in  Europe  and  North  America.  He  con- 
sidered the  North  American  species  to  be  quite  distinct,  and  that 
the  fish  which  had  latterly  been  thought  to  be  Cotius  gobio,  of 
Europe,  would  prove  ultimately  to  be  specifically  distinct  from  it. 
Great  caution  should  be  exercised  in  admitting  the  identity  of  any 
foreign  species  with  our  own. 

Mr.  John  E.  Teschemacher  read  mineralogical  notices  of 
Damourite  and  Pyrrhite,  minerals  that  had  recently  been 
examined  by  him. 

Mr.  T.  stated  that,  in  the  Annales  de  Chimie  for  Oct.,  1845, 
there  is  a  paper,  from  M.  Achille  Delesse,  on  a  new  mineral 
found  among  the  Kyanite  of  Pontivy,  which  he  had  named 
Damourite.  It  is  a  combination  of  silicate  of  alumina  and 
hydrate  of  potash.     His  analysis  gives  : 

Silica,  45.22 

Alumina,  37.85 

Potash,  11.20 

Water,  5.25 


99.52 


In  the  closed  tube,  before  the  blowpipe,  it  gives  off  water.  This 
mineral  appears,  either  during  its  formation  or  afterwards,  to 
have  undergone  intense  pressure. 

Among  the  minerals  from  Chesterfield,  Mass.,  which,  in  a 
paper  read  before  this  Society,  and  published  in  their  Journal, 
Vol.  IV.  No.  1,  Mr.  T.  had  considered  as  new  and  requiring  in- 


108 


vestigation,  was  a  yellow  amorphous  substance,  found  in  very 
small  quantity,  which  gave  off  water  in  the  closed  tube,  became 
milk-white  before  the  blowpipe,  and,  with  the  strongest  heat, 
melted  at  the  edges  into  a  white  enamel ;  with  microcosmic  salt, 
gave  a  colorless  bead,  and  became  blue  with  nitrate  of  cobalt. 
As  these  characters  agreed  with  those  of  the  Damourite  above, 
he  made  several  trials  with  reagents,  and  found  it  to  be  a  pure 
silicate  of  alumina,  with  a  small  percentage  hydrate  of  potash. 
He  sent  a  portion  of  it  to  Mr.  A.  A.  Hayes,  of  Roxbury,  who  was 
kind  enough  to  repeat  the  examination,  with  the  same  result.  It 
is  found  in  recesses  of  the  albite,  at  the  tourmaline  locality,  and 
appears  to  have  undergone  severe  pressure. 

In  the  Kyanite  from  Leiperville,  Pennsylvania,  there  is  also  a 
yellow  substance  which  attracted  the  attention  of  Mr.  T.,  two  or 
three  years  ago.  Like  the  Damourite,  it  is  pressed  so  hard 
against  the  Kyanite  that  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  separate  them 
from  each  other.  This  has  also  been  subjected  to  the  same  trials 
as  the  other,  both  by  Mr.  Hayes  and  Mr.  T.,  and  with  the  same 
results.  These  two  minerals  are  therefore,  unquestionably,  the 
Damourite  of  M.  Delesse.  The  latter,  from  Leiperville,  is  found 
plentifully,  although  Mr.  T.  is  not  fortunate  enough  to  possess  suffi- 
cient for  further  analysis.  The  closing  remarks  of  M.  Delesse, 
on  the  early  conditions  of  the  rock  in  which  it  is  found,  as  indi- 
cated by  its  analysis,  are  of  great  interest,  both  in  themselves  as 
well  as  in  exhibiting  the  importance  to  geology  of  considerations 
on  the  absolute  conditions  requisite  for  the  formation  of  the  differ- 
ent minerals  that  are  interspersed  among  the  various  formations. 
Knowledge  on  this  subject,  when  more  facts  are  collected  and 
generalized,  will,  probably,  cause  considerable  change  in  many 
of  the  theories  current  in  the  present  state  of  science. 

Mr.  T.  stated  that,  by  the  kindness  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Webster,  a 
further  supply  of  Pyrrhite,  an  interesting  mineral  found  in  vol- 
canic ejections  at  the  Azores,  has  been  placed  in  his  hands.  He 
had  measured  the  orange-red  octohedrons,  which  give  109.28', 
and  are  therefore,  as  he  had  previously  supposed,  the  regular 
octohedron.  There  are,  however,  other  crystals,  accompanying 
them,  of  which  the  forms  are  widely  different,  although,  before 
the  blowpipe,  they  give  the  same  reaction  with  oxide  of  titanium  as 
the  others.    The  color  of  these  crystals  is  also  rather  of  a  reddish 


109 


clove-brown,  and  they  are  more  transparent  than  the  orange-red 
octohedrons.  One  of  these  is  an  obHque  rhombic  prism,  the  solid 
lateral  angles  replaced.  Another  is  probably  a  right  rhombic 
prism.  All  these  crystals,  however,  are  very  minute,  and  have, 
on  this  account,  hitherto  baffled  his  attempts  at  measurement  of 
the  angles.  But  under  a  powerful  microscope  all  the  planes  are 
distinctly  and  clearly  visible.  Rose,  in  his  admirable  papers  on 
titanic  acid,  observes  that  Rutile,  Anatase  and  Brookite,  all  oxides 
of  titanium,  but  of  incompatible  crystalline  forms,  make  the  first 
clear  instance  of  trimorphism,  so  that  the  variety  of  forms  ob- 
served are  not  extraordinary  ;  nay,  further  investigation  will  pro- 
bably prove  that  the  oxide  of  titanium  may,  in  its  crystalline 
form,  be  polymorphous. 

Mr.  T.  thought  it  proper  to  notice  that  Monticelli  and  Covelli, 
in  their  Prodromus  of  the  Mineralogy  of  Vesuvius,  describe  a 
siliceo-calcareous  titanite  or  sphene,  in  the  form  of  the  octohedron 
with  a  rhombic  base,  measuring  103.20  to  131.16.  This  he  had 
not  seen  ;  nor  did  they  analyze  it. 

Prof.  H.  D.  Rogers  submitted  some  verbal  remarks  on 
the  occurrence  of  crystals  of  fluate  of  lime  in  Cannel  coal. 

Prof.  Rogers  stated  that  his  attention  had  been  recently  drawn 
to  the  frequent  violent  snapping  of  the  English  Cannel  coal, 
which  he  had  been  using  in  his  grate,  and  to  the  almost  explosive 
dispersion  of  small  fragments  of  fluor  spar,  about  the  apartment, 
which  accompanied  the  louder  crepitations.  He  had  satisfied 
himself,  by  watching  the  phenomenon,  that  the  fluor  spar  was 
derived  from  the  body  of  the  coal,  since  it  was  thus  projected 
from  the  grate  when  nothing  had  been  placed  upon  the  fire  but 
large  and  clear  lumps  of  the  coal,  and  afterwards  he  had  de- 
tected a  small  isolated  crystal  of  the  mineral  upon  breaking  a 
piece  of  the  coal.  Some  of  the  fragments  of  the  fluor  scattered 
into  the  room  were  more  than  half  an  inch  in  diameter,  and 
retained  portions  of  the  original  crystalline  faces,  indicating  that 
it  is  probably  lodged,  within  the  coal,  in  insulated  crystals.  He 
mentioned  this  as  the  first  instance,  within  his  knowledge,  of  the 
discovery  of  any  of  the  compounds  of  fluorine  in  a  substance  ap- 
pertaining to  the  vegetable  kingdom  ;  and  he  intimated  that, 
since  this  element  exists,  as  is   now  admitted,  in  the   bodies  of 


110 


animals,  we  are  almost  authorized  to  infer  that  they  derive  it 
from  their  ultimately  vegetable  food.  He  suggested  that  this 
fluor  of  the  Cannel  coal  may,  nevertheless,  have  been  derived  by 
volcanic  agency,  from  subterranean  sources,  possibly  by  hydro- 
fluoric acid,  in  the  form  of  vapor,  transmitted  through  the  fis- 
sures of  the  coal,  reacting  upon  the  calcareous  matter  which 
occurs  among  the  earthy  substances  of  many  coal  seams.  The 
fluoride  of  calcium,  thus  generated,  may  have  been  formed  either 
within  the  substance  of  the  coal,  or,  more  probably,  in  the  pas- 
sage of  the  hydrofluoric  acid  vapor  through  underlying  beds  of 
limestone,  and  have  been  afterwards  sublimed  into  the  crevices 
of  the  coal  bed. 

Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson  read  a  paper  on  the  Importance 
of  the  Science  and  Art  of  Mining,  which,  he  stated,  held  a 
rank  second  in  importance  to  that  of  agriculture  only.  He 
said  that  it  was  his  wish  to  call  the  attention  of  the  public 
to  the  real  metallurgic  resources  of  the  country,  but,  at  the 
same  time,  to  condemn  absurd  or  unprincipled  speculation, 
which  had  very  much  interfered  with  and  retarded  a  healthy 
and  profitable  development  of  American  mining  operations. 

Dr.  Jackson  described  some  of  the  most  important  mines  in  the 
country,  and  gave  a  particular  account  of  the  newly-discovered 
copper  and  silver  mines  of  Lake  Superior,  especially  of  those 
belonging  to  the  Lake  Superior,  Pittsburg  and  Isle  Royal,  and 
Boston  companies,  which  he  had  been  employed  to  survey. 
Through  his  researches,  the  importance  of  the  silver  veins  had 
first  become  known  to  the  public  ;  and  he  doubled  not  that  they 
would,  ultimately,  become  profitable  to  the  companies  owning 
them,  and  valuable  sources  of  revenue  to  the  government  and  to 
the  people. 

The  Lake  Superior  mining  district  is  very  remarkable,  espe- 
cially the  deposits  of  the  native  metals  in  the  trap  rocks,  and  in  the 
adjacent  calcareous  spar  veins,  which  traverse  the  conglomerate 
rocks.  The  trap  rocks  form  very  long  and  broad  dykes  in  the 
conglomerate  and  red  sandstone,  and  pursue  a  north-east  and 
south-west  course,  nearly  parallel  to  the  coast  of  Kewenaw 
Point,  and  are  supposed  to  extend  to  the  St.  Croix,  a  tributary  of 


Ill 


the  Mississippi  River.  This  range  of  trap  dykes  is  nearly  par- 
allel with  the  great  trappean  ranges,  forming  the  north  mountains 
of  Nova  Scotia,  and  skirting  the  coast  of  the  Bay  of  Fundy  with 
their  mural  escarpments,  and,  like  them,  include,  in  the  amyg- 
daloidal  portions  especially,  masses  and  disseminated  globules  of 
native  copper  which  fill  the  cavities.  In  Nova  Scotia,  however, 
the  metallic  copper  is,  more  frequently,  found  in  the  trap  tuff  or 
breccia,  and  regular  veins  of  the  metal  are  not  found  ;  while,  on 
Kewenaw  Point,  on  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  the 
copper  veins  are  more  regular,  and  follow,  very  frequently,  the 
Prehnite  veins,  which  run  N.  32°  W.  and  S.  32°  E.,  the  crevice 
filled  with  Prehnite  being,  probably,  the  line  of  fracture  through 
which  the  metallic  copper  was  sublimed  or  injected.  That  this 
was  sometimes  the  case,  is  obvious  from  the  fact  that  the  metallic 
copper  takes  the  imprint  of  the  crystals  of  Prehnite  which  line 
the  sides  of  one  of  the  leading  veins  on  Eagle  River.  The 
disseminated  copper  in  the  amygdaloid  appears  to  be  coeval  in 
origin  with  the  trap  rocks.  He  had  formerly  supposed  it  might 
have  been  reduced  from  copper  ores  preexistent  in  the  sandstone, 
the  amygdaloid  being  regarded  by  him  as  a  product  of  the  inter- 
fusion of  the  sandstone  and  trap.  This  idea  he  does  not  think 
can  be  sustained  by  the  facts  noticed  in  the  Lake  Superior  rocks  ; 
for  the  copper  should  be  found  only  along  the  line  of  junction  of 
the  trap  and  sandstone,  if  such  was  its  origin,  and  the  copper 
ores  ought  to  be  found  more  frequently  in  the  adjacent  sandstone. 
The  north-western  course  of  the  veins,  being  nearly  at  right  angles 
with  the  direction  or  strike  of  the  dykes,  militates  against  that 
theory. 

Among  the  interesting  discoveries,  which  he  made  while  ex- 
ploring the  Lake  Superior  mines,  in  1844,  was  the  occurrence  of 
perfectly  pure  native  silver,  attached,  by  a  firm  metallic  union,  to 
native  copper,  without  any  blending  or  alloying  beyond  the  line 
of  contact,  and  patches  and  veins  of  native  silver  in  masses  of 
pure  copper.  The  silver,  being  pure  and  quite  soft,  had  been 
previously  mistaken  for  metallic  tin,  an  idea  obviously  arising 
from  the  known  associations  of  tin  and  copper  ores  in  Cornwall. 
While  at  Lake  Superior,  he  proved  to  those  who  had  any  doubts 
that  the  metal  referred  to  was  pure  silver,  by  subjecting  it  to 
chemical  experiments. 


m 

The  proportion  of  silver  mixed  with  the  copper,  at  the  Lake 
Superior,  and  Pittsburgh  and  Isle  Royal  Company's  mines,  on 
Eagle  River,  is  of  much  greater  value  than  the  copper  in  the 
same  rock,  and  will  be  advantageously  separated. 

He  would  refer  to  his  Reports  to  those  companies  for  details 
concerning  the  value  of  their  ores.  A  new  vein  has  recently 
been  discovered  by  the  Pittsburgh  and  Isle  Royal  Company,  at 
their  mines,  on  the  south-west  branch  of  Eagle  River,  which  has 
furnished  specimens  of  native  silver  of  extraordinary  richness, 
some  of  which  have  been  analyzed  by  Mr.  A.  A.  Hayes.  The 
Lake  Superior  Company's  mines  are  wide,  and  sufficiently  rich 
for  profitable  mining.     [See  his  Reports  to  that  company.] 

The  Copper  Falls  Company  have  a  remarkable  vein  of  metallic 
copper,  which  is  from  six  to  eighteen  inches  wide,  and  is  charged 
so  fully  with  copper  as  to  resist  the  drill.  Its  extent  is  not  yet 
known,  but  it  was  traced,  for  the  distance  of  eighty  feet,  in  a 
course  parallel  with  that  already  noticed  as  the  general  direction 
of  the  veins  in  the  trap  rocks.  He  had  recently  learned  that 
very  large  sheets  of  metallic  copper  had  been  discovered  in 
working  this  vein,  and  that  the  amygdaloidal  wall  rock  was  quite 
rich  in  copper.  A  little  metallic  silver  has  also  been  found  as- 
sociated with  the  copper  in  the  vein.  The  Boston  Copper  Com- 
pany has  opened  a  very  remarkable  vein  of  copper  at  Agate 
Harbor.  It  is  a  regular  vein  of  crystalline  calcareous  spar,  tra- 
versing the  conglomerate  in  a  north  and  south  direction,  and  is 
five  inches  wide  on  the  top  of  the  cliff,  on  the  lake  shore,  and  one 
foot  wide  near  its  base,  twenty  feet  lower  down.  In  this  vein,  he 
found  crystals  of  metallic  copper  quite  abundantly,  and  some 
very  large  lumps  and  crystalline  masses.  He  obtained  one  mass 
weighing  forty  pounds,  which  was  covered  with  crystals  of  pure 
copper  and  particles  of  silver.  Another  mass  had  been  sent  him 
by  the  miners,  which  weighed  more  than  one  hundred  pounds, 
and  another  had  been  sent  to  the  trustees  of  the  company  which 
weighs  five  hundred  and  sixty-four  pounds.  The  prevalent 
forms  of  the  crystals  are  the  regular  octahedron  and  the  rhombic 
dodecahedron  with  the  edges  replaced  by  single  planes  ;  but 
other  and  more  complicated  forms  also  occur. 

It  is  obvious,  both  from  the  crystalline  forms  and  the  mode  of 
occurrence  of  this  copper,  that  it  was  deposited  from  a  state  of 


113 


igneous  fluidity  ;  and,  from  the  circumstance  that  the  walls  of 
the  vein  are  encrusted  with  Laumonite,  it  would  appear  that  the 
spar  vein  itself  is  of  igneous  origin.  Many  other  instances  of  a 
similar  kind  indicate  that  the  calcareous  spar  veins,  which  tra- 
verse the  conglomerate  and  sandstone  rocks,  are  true  veins  of 
igneous  origin. 

At  Copper  Harbor,  the  green  rock,  formerly  mistaken  for 
carbonate  of  copper,  but  which  Dr.  J.  ascertained  to  be  a  hydrous 
silicate  of  the  oxide  of  copper,  or  chrysocoUa,  has  been  explored, 
and  it  has  led  to  the  discovery  of  a  very  remarkable  vein  of  the 
black  oxide,  and  black  and  brown  silicates  of  copper,  from  which 
a  considerable  quantity  of  ore  has  been  taken,  and  has  been 
wrought  into  sulphate  of  copper,  at  the  Roxbury  Laboratory. 

This  vein  is,  however,  quite  uncertain  ;  for  the  ore  widens  into 
flattened  ellipsoidal  masses,  and  then  thins  out  and  disappears, 
while  the  dead  rock  or  calcareous  spar  takes  its  place.  It  is 
said  that  black  sulphuret  of  copper  has  been  found,  at  some 
depth,  in  this  vein  ;  but  he  had  seen  no  specimens  of  it.  The 
miners  had  penetrated,  to  the  depth  of  forty  or  fifty  feet,  in  dead 
vein,  but  had  extracted  much  rich  ore  within  twenty  feet  of  the 
surface,  where  a  drift  had  been  excavated  for  its  removal.  This 
vein  is  from  eight  inches  to  one  foot  wide  where  the  black  oxide 
is  obtained,  but  is  quite  irregular. 

Dr.  J.  would  suggest  that  the  chrysocolla  was,  originally,  a 
gelatinous  mass,  like  silica,  separated  from  minerals  by  acids, 
and  that,  when  the  rock  cooled  this  jelly,  the  hydrous  silicate 
was  deposited,  while,  in  its  more  heated  interior,  the  brown  and 
black  silicates  were  deposited.  He  would  suggest,  also,  that  the 
black  oxide  might  have  been  precipitated,  from  the  hot  siliceous 
solution,  by  the  action  of  hot  limewater,  which  might  have  been 
abundantly  produced  in  the  vein  during  its  formation.  It  is  easy 
to  imitate  this  operation  in  the  laboratory  of  the  chemist ;  and 
there  is  no  reason  why  it  may  not  have  been  one  of  nature's 
great  chemical  operations. 

Trap  rocks  occur  very  near  this  vein,  and,  perhaps,  underlie 
the  conglomerate  for  some  distance  around.  To  them  is  attri- 
buted the  heat  which  permeated  this  vein  ;  and  the  alkalies, 
which  produced  analcime  instead  of  laumonite,  in  the  lower 
portions  of  the  lode,  may  have  originated  from  the  subjacent 
igneous  rock. 


114 


Laumonite,  also,  occurs  in  this  and  in  an  adjacent  calcareous 
spar  vein,  and  is,  doubtless,  derived  from  the  chemical  combina- 
tion of  the  lime  of  the  spar  with  the  siliceous  and  aluminous  in- 
gredients of  the  conglomerate  and  sandstone.  Datholite  is  found 
in  many  of  the  spar  veins,  in  the  trap  rocks,  at  Eagle  Harbor, 
Copper  Falls  and  Eagle  River,  and  the  crystals  of  that  mineral 
often  include  bright  scales  of  metallic  copper.  The  crystals  of 
calcareous  spar,  and  those  of  Prehnite,  also,  include  bright  parti- 
cles and  scales  of  that  metal.  This  fact  must  modify  our  notions 
as  to  a  slow  aqueous  infiltration  of  those  minerals  into  veins  and 
geodes  ;  for,  were  it  a  slow  operation,  the  copper  would  have 
become  oxidated,  which  is  never  the  case  in  any  of  the  instances 
he  had  examined. 

Dr.  J.  took  this  occasion  to  state  that  he  had  never  owned, 
or  been  interested  in  any  stock,  in  any  of  the  Lake  Supe- 
rior or  other  mines  ;  and  that  he  had  no  other  object  in  view,  in 
these  statements,  than  to  advance  the  interests  of  science,  and  to 
aid  in  the  promotion  of  the  legitimate  mining  operations  of  this 
country.  He  deemed  it  necessary  to  make  this  avowal,  because, 
on  some  occasions,  more  unworthy  motives  had  been  attributed 
to  him. 

A  valuable  and  extensive  donation  of  skins  of  mammalia 
and  birds,  the  skeleton  of  the  lesser  ant-eater,  and  various 
reptiles,  from  Dr.  Francis  W.  Cragin,  of  Surinam,  was  an- 
nounced. 

James  Lloyd  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Society. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Five  skeletons  of  birds,  and  one  of  a  species  of  Rana,  and 
twenty-one  crania  of  reptiles,  birds  and  small  quadrupeds.  From 
E.  W.  Code,  M.  D. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Dana,  James  D.  The  Structure  and  Classification  of  Zoo- 
phytes ;  being  the  Introduction  to  the  Volume  on  Zoophytes,  one 
of  the  Series  of  the  Voyage  of  the  American  Exploring  Expedi- 


115 


tion,  in  the  Years  1839  to  1842.     4to.    pp.  132.     Philadelphia, 
1846.     From  the  Author. 

American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts.     For  March,  1846. 
From  the  Editors. 


March  18,  1846. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


Prof.  Asa  Gray  communicated  a  notice  of  a  new  genus  of 
plants  of  the  order  of  Santalacece,  of  which  the  following 
are  the  technical  characters. 

Darbya.  Flores  dioici.  Masc.  Perigonium  simplex,  turbina- 
tum,  ad  medium  4-5-dum  ;  lobis  ovatis,  patentibus.  Discus 
crassiusculus,  perigonii  penitus  lubo  adnatus,  margine  4-5-cre- 
natus.  Stamina  4-5,  e  sinubus  disci,  lobis  perigonii  opposita  : 
filamenta  brevia,  subulata  :  antherse  biloculares  ;  loculis  fascicule 
filarum  araneosarum  ad  basin  lobi  perigonii  annexis.  Foem.  Ignota. 
Fructus  *  *  *  stylo  unico  superatus,  unilocularis,  monosper- 
mus.  Frutex,  in  Georgia  et  Carolina  superiore  vigens,  glaber, 
cortice  griseo.  Folia  opposita,  uncialia,  membranacea,  ovalia, 
margine  inlegerrima,  subundulata,  breviter  petiolata,  venosa, 
sublus  pallidiora.  Pedunculi  axillares,  solitarii,  folio  breviores, 
ebracteolati,  umbellam  3-8-florem  gerentes  ;  floribus  parvis 
virescentibus,  intus  flavidis. 

Species.  Darbya  umhellulata.  Hab.  near  Milledgeville,  Geo., 
Dr.  Boykin^  and  at  Macon,  Prof.  Darhy  ;  also  at  Lincolnton, 
N.  C,  Mr.  M.  A.  Curtis. 

Dr.  Gray  stated  that,  as  he  had  no  doubt  that  this  shrub  adds 
another  to  our  few  genera  of  this  interesting  order,  he  desired 
that  it  should  bear  the  name,  and  commemorate  the  botanical 
services,  of  Prof.  Darby,  one  of  its  discoverers,  to  whom  a  large 
part  of  our  still  incomplete  knowledge  of  the  plant  is  owing.  Dr. 
G.  hoped  that  some  botanist  of  upper  Carolina  or  Georgia  would 
preserve  the  pistillate  flowers  and  young  fruit  in  spirits,  in  order 


116 


that  the  structure  of  the  ovula,  and  the  fecundation  so  peculiar  in 
this  natural  family,  may  be  duly  studied. 

A  printed  description  of  the  fossil  fish,  mentioned  in  a 
communication  received  from  Dr.  Joseph  G.  Norwood,  on 
the  18th  February  last,  (see  Proceedings  of  that  date,) 
drawn  up  by  himself  and  Prof.  David  D.  Owen,  was  com- 
municated to  the  Society  by  the  former. 

After  giving  its  characters  in  detail,  the  authors  remark  upon 
its  geological  position.  It  was  split  out  of  a  layer  of  light  gray 
subcrystalline  limestone,  containing  numerous  Atrypa  prisca  and 
Spirifer  euruteines,  associated  with  Strophomena  euglypha,  Pteri- 
nea  cardiiformis,  Favosites  spongites,  Calymene  hvfo,  Tentaculi- 
tes  scalaris,  and  other  fossils  characteristic  of  the  shell-beds 
which  form  a  part  of  the  chain  of  rocks,  in  the  bed  of  the  Ohio 
River,  at  the  Falls,  immediately  under  the  water-limestone  found 
in  digging  the  Louisville  canal.  On  Lewis's  Creek,  however,  the 
water-lime  is  absent,  or  is  represented  only  by  a  thin  layer  of 
chert,  and  the  black  slate  is  found  in  the  bank  of  the  creek,  not 
four  feet  above  the  layer  containing  the  fossil  fish.  This  black 
slate  is  most  likely  the  equivalent  of  the  Genesee  slate,  and  not 
of  the  Marcellus  shale  of  the  New  York  survey,  since  the  underly- 
ing layers,  though  they  contain  Onondaga  and  Corniferous  fossils, 
yield  also  many  organic  remains  of  the  Hamilton  group. 

The  writers  consider  it  to  be  evidently  a  ganoid  fish,  analogous 
to  those  described  from  the  Devonian  system  of  Europe.  On 
the  supposition  that  it  belongs  to  a  new  genus,  as  would  seem  to 
be  indicated  by  the  great  size  of  the  scutcheon  plates  and  their 
peculiar  form,  they  propose  for  it  the  name  o^  Macropetalichthys 
rapheidolahis.  They  believe  this  to  be  not  only  the  first  instance 
of  finding  scutcheoned  fishes  in  this  country,  but  that  it  establishes 
the  lowest  geological  position  in  which  the  remains  of  vertebrate 
animals  have  been  found,  excepting  defensive  fin-bones  in  the 
Corniferous  group  in  New  York,  and  the  scales  of  fishes,  traced 
throughout  the  Clinton  group  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  by 
the  Professors  Rogers. 

Dr.  N.  B.  Shurtleff  remarked  upon  some  peculiarities  of 
the  skeleton  of  the  Asiatic  elephant  (Elephas  indicus)  be- 
longing to  the  Society. 


117 


The  bones  are  those  of  the  largest  elephant  ever  brought  to  the 
United  States,  the  animal  having  been  about  nine  feet  in  height 
during  life.  It  was  frozen  to  death  on  its  passage,  and  died  when 
within  a  few  miles  of  this  city,  at  Nantasket  roads.  At  the  time  of 
the  dissection,  measurements  were  accurately  taken  by  Dr.  S.,  and 
the  flesh  was  removed  from  the  feet  and  tail,  under  his  direction, 
so  carefully  that  no  bone  was  lost  or  displaced  in  either.  The 
bones  of  the  sternum  and  cartilages  were  prepared  and  preserved 
in  a  manner  to  retain  their  natural  relations  to  the  bones  of  the 
thorax.  The  thickness  of  the  intervertebral  substance  was  noted, 
and  the  form  of  the  spinal  column  draughted,  so  that  the  bones, 
when  put  together,  should  exhibit,  in  the  dry  skeleton,  the  same 
form  they  had  when  covered  with  flesh. 

Dr.  S.  stated  that  the  reason  of  his  mentioning  this  careful 
mode  of  procedure  was  not  for  the  purpose  of  showing  that  this 
is  his  usual  way  of  securing  a  knowledge  of  the  proper  form  of 
skeletons  ;  but  because,  having  found  that  the  Society's  specimen 
does  not  agree  in  all  respects  with  the  description  by  Cuvier,  he 
wished  to  have  it  seen  that  the  differences  were  not  caused  by 
the  loss  or  misplacement  of  the  bones. 

Cuvier,  in  his  Ossemens  Fossiles,  states  that  "  the  spine  of  the 
elephant  is  composed  of  seven  cervical,  twenty  dorsal,  three 
lumbar,  four  sacral,  and  twenty-four  or  twenty-five  coccygeal 
vertebrae,  and  that  this  animal  has  five  true  ribs  only,  and  fifteen 
false."  This,  certainly,  is  not  always  the  case,  for  our  specimen 
has  Jive  sacral,  like  the  Mastodon  giganteum,  and  tiventy-six 
coccygeal  vertebrce,  including  the  terminal  bone.  Our  skeleton 
has  likewise  six  true  ribs.  A  point  worthy  of  especial  notice,  as 
observed  in  our  skeleton,  is  the  fact  that  there  are  only  nineteen 
pairs  of  ribs,  while  there  are  twenty  dorsal  vertebrae,  the  last 
dorsal  vertebra  possessing  all  the  characteristics  of  a  vertebra  of 
that  class,  but  showing  no  appearance  that  it  ever  had  ribs  articu- 
lated with  it,  which  appearance  is  very  distinct  in  all  the  other 
dorsal  vertebrrc.  The  number  of  sacral  vertebra}  agreeing  with 
that  of  the  North  American  Mastodon,  brings  that  extinct  animal 
nearer  to  the  existing  races  of  Pachydermata. 

The  remarks  made  upon  our  skeleton  of  the  elephant  are 
equally  true  in  regard  to  another  specimen  of  the  Asiatic 
elephant,  a  young  animal  whose  bones  are  in  the  collection  of 


118 


Dr.  J.  C.  Warren,  that,  also,  having  only  nineteen  ribs,  six  of 
which  are  true,  and  twenty  dorsal  vertebrge.  (Another  individual, 
since  examined,  has  the  twenty  pairs  of  ribs,  and  five  sacral 
bones.) 

These  facts  prove,  at  least,  that  the  number  of  ribs  in  a  perfect 
skeleton  do  not  always  indicate  the  number  of  dorsal  vertebrae, 
and  the  reverse. 

The  number  of  cubic  inches  contained  in  the  cranial  cavity  of 
the  Society's  skeleton  is  three  hundred  and  fifty-four. 

Dr.  Shurtleff  also  exhibited  an  instrument,  constructed  by 
himself,  for  measuring  the  capacity  of  the  crania  of  animals, 
and  presented  it  to  the  Society,  as  a  standard  measure  for 
future  use. 

It  consists  of  a  hollow  metallic  cylinder,  three  inches  in  dia- 
meter, and  about  fourteen  inches  in  length,  of  the  capacity  of 
exactly  one  hundred  cubic  inches.  Into  this  hollow  cylinder 
slides  a  wooden  cylinder  nicely  adapted  with  a  graduation  to 
hundredths,  or  cubic  inches,  marked  upon  one  side.  In  using 
the  above,  the  cavity  of  the  skull  is  first  accurately  filled  with  a 
proper  material,  such  as  flax-seed,  beans,  or  shot,  and  then  the 
material  is  measured,  each  cylinder  full  being  one  hundred  cubic 
inches.  The  quantity  remaining  above  the  hundreds  is  ascer- 
tained by  putting  it  into  the  measure  and  introducing  the  wooden 
cylinder,  the  graduation  on  the  side  indicating  the  number  of 
cubic  inches  less  than  one  hundred. 

Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  Jr.,  made  some  observations  concern- 
ing the  supposed  identity  of  Anas  penelope  and  Anas  ame- 
ricana,  the  European  and  American  widgeons. 

Having  had  a  recent  opportunity  of  dissecting  two  American 
widgeons.  Dr.  C.  had  observed  some  peculiarities  of  structure 
which  seemed  to  him  to  forbid  the  opinion  that  these  birds  are 
identical  with  the  European  species.  Although,  very  generally, 
resembling  each  other,  there  are  some  remarkable  differences. 
The  difference  in  the  length  of  the  intestines  is  greater  than  ever 
occurs  in  birds  of  the  same  species.  Dr.  C.  had  compared  the 
American  species  with  a  specimen  of  the  European  bird,  also 
dissected  by  him  ;  and  he  gave  the  comparative  measurement  of 
the  different  parts. 


119 


Anas  Americana,  American  Widgeon. 

Inches. 

Measures  in  length,  20  ^ 

'*  extent,  34  J- 

Tip  of  bill  to  nostril,  1  f 

Opening    of    nostril     in 

length,  i 

(Esophagus  to  proventri 

cuius, 
Proventriculus, 


Gizzard,  length, 

"        width       across 

tendons, 
"         perpendicular 
to  tendons. 
Muscular  walls   of   two 
sides  through. 


8 


21 


H 


ItV 


Contained  eel  grass,  grav- 
el, &c.,  a  considerable 
quantity. 

Intestines,  from  gizzard 
to  anus,  63 

Liver,  right  lobe,  long, 
"         "        "      across, 
"       left       "      long, 
"        "         "      across. 

Heart,  length, 
"       width. 

Trachea,  to  bifurcation 
of  bronchi. 

Bronchi, 

Bony  box,  at  lower  lar- 
ynx, length. 

Diameter,  (much  largest 
on  right  side,) 

Testicles,  length, 

"         width,  y3^ 

Kidneys,  length,  2  ^ 

Left     caecum,  length,  8 

Right        "  "  7 1 

Cceca  enter  intestine  at         4 
from  vent. 


Anas  penelope,  European  Widgeon. 

Inches. 

20 1 
33 
1^ 


A 


2 
1 
1.^ 


3 

9" 


7f 
1| 


If 


52 


^  thick  covered  on  inside 
with  openings  of  fol- 
licles. 


of  right  side, 
of  left  side. 

A  small  quantity  of  sand, 
gravel  and  eggs  of  fish 
or  insects. 


Much  injured,  does  not 
appear  large,  gall  blad- 
der full,  1^  in.  long, 
|-  wide. 


1         nearly  round,  and 
f     equal  nearly  on  both  sides. 

A 

Not  measured. 


120 


On  the  inside  of  the  gizzard,  in  the  Anas  americana,  opposite 
to  the  centre  of  each  muscle,  is  a  smooth,  hard,  and  almost  bony 
plate,  one  of  which  has  its  thickest  edge  uppermost,  and  the  other 
the  reverse,  so  that  they  present  their  surfaces  diagonally,  as 
regards  the  plane  of  motion,  though  applying  their  opposite  sur- 
faces very  exactly  to  each  other.  These  plates  are  of  an  oblong 
shape,  |-  of  an  inch  in  length,  and  f  across. 

Dr.  Cabot  also  stated  that  he  had  dissected  a  male  of  Tetrao 
cupido  ;  and  gave  the  measurement  of  some  of  the  internal 
organs,  viz. :  ^ 

Tongue.  Length,  to  tip  of  os  hyoides,  2^  ;  to  opening  of 
larynx,  ^  ;  to  base,  f . 

(Esophagus.  Length,  to  crop,  5  ;  diameter  of  upper  part, 
which  is  very  dilatable,  IJ  ;  length  to  proventriculus,  8^. 

Proventriculus.     Length,  l^  ;  thickness,  -^^. 

Gizzard.  Longest  diameter,  2f ;  shortest  diameter,  1  ;  at 
right  angles  with  the  longest  diameter.  If  ;  lining  membrane  of 
gizzard  very  tough  and  horny,  and  marked  by  longitudinal  rugae, 
its  muscular  parietes  about  J  inch  thick  ;  filled  with  half-digested 
corn,  rye  and  other  seeds,  mixed  with  fragments  of  stone  and 
sand. 

Intestinal  canal.     From  gizzard  to  anus,  length,  70. 

Coeca.  Length,  23  ;  opening  into  intestine,  5  from  anus ; 
diameter  of  upper  part,  flattened  out,  f  ;  its  diameter  larger  than 
that  of  the  intestine  in  its  whole  length,  except  in  the  cloaca  and 
the  upper  part  of  oesophagus. 

Crop.     Diameter,  when  flattened  out,  3. 

Liver.  Length  of  right  lobe,  2|- ;  in  diameter,  l^  ;  length  of 
left  lobe,  2  ;  in  diameter,  1|. 

Kidneys.     Length,  nearly  2. 

Testicles.     In  length,  f^- 

Heart.     In  length.  If;  diameter,  If. 

Trachea.     To  bifurcation,  not  stretched,  6  ;  do.,  stretched,  6f . 

Bronchi.     In  length,  |. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  read  the  results  of  a  chemical  analysis 

I  The  measurements  are  in  inches  and  parts  of  an  inch. 


121 


of  lava  from  the  great  crater  of  Kilauea,  in  Hawaii,  one  of 
the  Sandwich  Islands. 

He  remarked  that  this  lava  is  distinguished  for  its  ready  fusi- 
blHty,  and  is  a  true  glass,  with  ferruginous,  calcareous  and  alka- 
line bases..  It  is  well  known,  from  the  descriptions  of  travellers 
who  have  visited  this  volcano,  that  the  crust  of  indurated  scoriae 
becomes  suddenly  melted  by  the  imprisoned  heat  of  the  volcano, 
and  that,  when  thus  liquified,  it  is  tossed  about  by  the  escaping 
gases,  so  as  to  represent  an  immense  caldron  of  boiling  igneous 
fluid.  Each  explosion  of  gas  or  steam  throws  off  masses  of 
semi-indurated  lava,  which  draw  after  them  delicate  filaments 
resembling  finely-drawn  green  glass,  and  these  glassy  fibres  are 
driven  by  the  wind  into  heaps,  at  the  sides  of  the  crater,  where  con- 
siderable quantities  may  be  collected.  The  natives  of  Hawaii  call 
it  the  hair  of  Pele,  the  demigod  of  the  mountain,  who  is  sup- 
posed by  them  to  tear  her  hair  with  rage  when  the  volcano  is  in 
eruption,  and  they  formerly  endeavored  to  appease  her  wrath 
by  throwing  a  hog  into  the  crater.  This  curious  supei'stition  is 
now  becoming;  obsolete  throuorh  the  influence  of  the  missionaries. 

This  analysis  was  made,  under  Dr.  J.'s  directions,  by  his  friend 
and  pupil,  Mr.  Joseph  Peabody,  of  Salem.  The  alkalies  were 
separated  from  the  filamentous  lava,  or  Pole's  Hair,  by  himself. 
A  slight  overrun  in  the  analysis  may  be  imputed  to  the  greater 
purity  of  the  volcanic  glass  in  its  filamentous  state. 

Several  lots,  of  25  grs.  each,  were  analyzed  with  the  following 
results  per  cent. : 

25.975 
6.5381  ^  f, 

2.078     ^^y^-  of  bases, 
2^923  I         13.067 


Silicic  acid, 

50.00,  contain'g  oxygen 

Protox.  of  iron, 

28.72 

Lime, 

7.40 

Alumina, 

6.16 

Potash, 

6.00 

Soda, 

2.00 

1.017  I 
0.511  J 


100.28 


It  will  appear,  from  this  analysis,  that  the  ratio  of  the  oxygen 
of  the  acid  is  to  that  of  the  bases  as  2  to  1.  Hence  the  lava  is 
a  bisilicate  of  those  bases,  or  (Fe  Ca  Al  K  N)  Si^,  or  Fe  Si  -f- 
( Al  Ca  K  N)  Si. 

It  is  probable  that  this  lava  will  make  good  bottle-glass. 

PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H.  13  JULY,    1846. 


122 


Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  exhibited  a  series  of  fossil  shells  and 
corals  from  the  lead  mines  of  Gratiot's  Grove,  Wisconsin, 
which  were  collected  by  Mr.  Joshua  Childs,  formerly  captain 
of  mines  in  that  district. 

The  fossils  were  all  internal  moulds,  not  a  trace  of  any  of  the 
substance  of  the  shells  remaining.  They  all  belong  to  the  Silu- 
rian limestone  group.  A  perfect  dodecahedral  crystal  of  Galena 
was  also  exhibited,  which  came  from  the  Wisconsin  lead  region. 

Joseph  G.  Norwood,  M.  D.,  of  Madison,  and  John  T. 
Plummer,  of  Richmond,  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  were 
elected  Corresponding  Members. 

J.  M.  Whiton  and  Henry  Warren,  Esq's.,  were  elected 
members  of  the  Society. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE   CABINET. 

A  box  of  specimens,  illustrating  the  rock  formations  and  fossils 
of  the  southern  part  of  Lee  county,  near  the  junction  of  the 
Kinchafoona  and  Flint  Rivers,  Georgia.  From  L.  B.  Mercer^ 
M.  D.,  Palmyra^  Georgia. 

A  graduated  cylinder  for  measuring  the  capacity  of  crania. 
Presented  by  Dr.  Nathaniel  B.  Shurtleff. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Reports  of  the  First,  Second  and  Third  Meetings  of  the  Associ- 
ation of  American  Geologists  and  Naturalists  at  Philadelphia,  in 
1840  and  1841,  and,  at  Boston,  in  1842 ;  embracing  its  Proceed- 
ings and  Transactions.  8vo.  pp.  544,  pi.  16.  Boston,  1843. 
From  A.  Binney. 

Musci  Alleghanienses,  sivc  Enumeratio  Muscorum  atque 
Hepaticorum  quos  in  itinere  a  Marylandia  usque  ad  Georgiam, 
per  tractus  montium,  A.  D.  1844,  decerpserunt  Asa  Gray  et  W. 
S.  Sullivant.  Concinnavit  et  exposuit  W.  S.  SuUivant.  8vo. 
pp.  87.     Columbus,  Ohio,  1846.     From  the  Author. 

Report  on  Scientific  Nomenclature,  made  to  the  Association  of 
American  Geologists  and  NaturaUsts  at  New  Haven,  May,  1845. 
8vo.    pp.  7.     New  Haven,  1846.     From  the  Association. 


123 

Ajml  1,  1846. 
J.  E.  Teschemacher,  Esq.,  in  the  Chair. 

Mr.  J.  E.  Teschemacher  exhibited  specimens  of  vegetable 
remains  from  the  anthracite  coal-beds  of  Mansfield,  Mass. 

He  remarked  that  the  subject  of  fossil  vegetables  was  exciting 
increased  attention  annong  naturalists,  and  that  the  study  of  them 
was  very  much  facilitated  by  the  new  system  of  classification 
introduced  by  Presl,  founded  upon  the  venation  of  the  leaves, 
in  place  of  that  based  upon  the  fructification.  The  leaves  were 
often  well  preserved,  while  the  fructification  was  rarely  shown 
so  perfectly  as  to  be  of  service.  Mr.  T.  announced  his  intention 
of  devoting  some  time  to  the  study  of  the  American  coal-plants. 
He  had  already  been  able  to  detect  several  mistakes,  into  which 
Brongniart  and  others  had  been  led,  to  which  he  would  refer  at 
some  future  time. 

Prof.  H.  D.  Rogers  expressed  the  opinion  that  different  species 
of  vegetation  would  be  found  to  characterize  different  beds  of  coal, 
according  to  the  age  of  the  deposit. 

Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  read  a  letter  from  J.  Hamilton  Couper, 
Esq.,  dated  at  Bainbridge  on  the  Chatahoochie  River, 
Georgia,  March  15,  1845. 

Mr.  Couper  had  found  the  silicified  limestone  of  that  neighbor- 
hood, commonly  called  the  hurr  mill-stone  by  reason  of  the  use 
to  which  it  was  sometimes  applied,  to  be  very  abundant.  It  is 
filled  with  fossil  shells,  none  of  which  appear  to  be  identical  with 
the  Claiborn  fossils  as  described  by  Conrad  and  Lea.  Few  of 
them  are  identical  with  the  cretaceous  shells  represented  by  Dr. 
Morton,  though  Mr.  C.  considered  them  to  belong  obviously  to 
that  formation.  The  most  striking  and  abundant  shell  is  an 
Ostrea,  six  inches  by  four  or  five,  somewhat  resembling  O. 
panda.  Pectens  of  several  species  are  very  abundant ;  as  is  also 
a  species  of  Nummidites,  probably  N.  Mantelli.  Mr.  C.  also 
found  several  Turritellce,  Spatangi^  Echini  and  their  spines,  a 
small  Ammonite,  a  Scutella,  a  Sigaretiis,  and  a  Conus  two  and 


124 


a  half  inches  long,  somewhat  resembling  C.  gyratus,  but  with  a 
flat  spire.  Mr.  Lyell  had  placed  this  formation  in  the  Eocene 
series  ;  but  Mr.  C,  judging  from  the  fossils,  could  not  agree  with 
him.  Above,  and  upcn  this  formation,  imbedded  in  clay-marl, 
he  had  found  fragments  of  fossil  bones.  From  the  rounded 
form,  compactness  of  texture,  and  the  eccentric  and  concentric 
circles  of  the  cross  sections  of  the  ribs,  he  considered  them  to 
belong  to  the  Zeiighdon. 

Prof.  H.  D.  Rogers  asked  the  attention  of  the  Society  to 
some  phenomena  noticed  by  him  in  the  mineralogy  and 
geology  of  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Superior.  He  also 
exhibited  specimens  of  sandstones  and  trap  rocks,  and  their 
concretionary  geodes,  from  the  same  region. 

The  first  feature  alluded  to  by  Prof  Rogers  was  the  mode  in 
which  the  metallic  copper  of  Kewenaw  Peninsula  is  often  surround- 
ed by  certain  minerals,  its  frequent  associates.  At  the  Eagle  River 
mine,  and  elsewhere,  the  metalliferous  rock  is  not,  as  sometimes 
supposed,  a  real  trap  rock,  but  a  mixture  of  trappean  matter,  and 
that  of  the  red  sandstone  formation,  more  or  less  baked  and 
modified  by  intense  igneous  action.  These  semi-fused  materials, 
in  crystallizing,  have  very  frequently  resulted  in  the  following 
curious  arrangement :  the  crystalline  metallic  copper  occupies 
the  centre  of  globular  and  variously  formed  concretions  ;  cal- 
careous spar  usually,  but  not  always,  invests  the  copper  ;  and 
very  generally  the  exterior  of  the  kernel  is  pure  crystalline 
chlorite. ,  Specimens  were  shown  proving  this  to  be  the  common 
order.  These  nodular  lumps  are  dispersed  through  a  base  which 
exhibits  a  sort  of  pasty  mixture  of  softened  red  shale  and  true 
trappean  matter ;  and  many  of  them  are  so  surrounded  as  to 
indicate  them  to  be  true  segregations  from  this  semi-igneous, 
semi-aqueous  compound.  Upon  this  view,  we  may  derive  the 
magnesia  of  the  chlorite,  which  could  not  originate  from  the  red 
shale,  cither  from  the  hornblende  of  the  trappean  matter,  or  from 
a  sublimation  of  magnesium,  in  the  form  of  vapor,  penetrating  to 
the  outer  crust  at  a  moment  of  volcanic  outburst,  as  potassium 
and  sodium  are  conjectured  to  do,  according  to  Forchhammer,  in 
the  generation  of  some  granitic  rocks. 

Evidence  was  then  presented  of  the  production  of  a  portion,  at 


125 


least,  of  the  agates,  which  so  abound  in  the  altered  rocks,  adjoin- 
ing the  dykes  of  trap,  from  amygdals  of  chlorite  ;  and  various 
specinnens  were  exhibited,  showing  the  stages  of  transition  from 
the  one  to  the  other. 

Prof.  R.  next  referred  to  the  interesting  question  of  the  age  of 
the  red  sandstone  and  conglomerate  of  Lake  Superior,  about 
which  geologists  have  been  much  divided  in  opinion.  The 
absence  of  any  clear  sections  showing  the  place  of  this  formation, 
in  relation  to  the  other  strata  of  Michigan,  and  the  non-existence 
of  fossils  in  it,  had  hitherto  made  its  date  merely  conjectural. 
He  had  to  announce,  however,  that  he  succeeded,  in  September 
last,  in  detecting  the  contact  of  this  conglomeritic  mass  with  rocks 
of  a  determinate  place  in  the  Appalachian  series.  The  peninsula 
of  Kewenaw  offers  no  such  contact ;  but,  going  to  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Chocolate  and  Carp  Rivers,  he  there  discovered  the  fol- 
lowing condition  of  things  :  First,  a  group  of  rocks,  the  equiva- 
lents, undoubtedly,  of  the  Primal  sandstone  and  Primal  slate, 
of  Professors  W.  B.  Rogers  and  PL  D.  Rogers,  denominated,  in 
the  nomenclature  of  the  New  York  Survey,  the  Potsdam  sand- 
stone, and  these  rocks,  highly  inclined,  and  traversed  by  parallel 
east-and-west  axes.  Secondly,  upon  the  uptilted  edges  of  this 
earliest  palaeozoic  formation,  rests,  in  an  unconformable  position, 
and  with  a  very  gentle  northern  dip,  the  conglomerates  and 
shales  of  the  red  sandstone  series.  Specimens  of  the  conglo- 
merate were  displayed,  in  which  the  pebbles  were  all  from  the 
older  rocks.  Mr.  Rogers  thought  this  fact  of  unconformable  super- 
position an  almost  conclusive  proof  of  a  post-palseozoic  date  ;  and 
he  proceeded  to  argue,  from  various  points  of  analogy  between 
the  red  sandstone  itself,  its  trappean  dykes,  and  their  mineral 
associations,  with  the  similar  components  of  the  mesozoic  or  new 
red  sandstone  of  the  Atlantic  States,  that  the  formation  in  question 
is  of  equivalent  age  and  origin  with  this  last-named  interesting 
group  of  rocks. 

Some  discussion  of  these  subjects  was  then  had  by  Dr. 
C.  T.  Jackson,  Prof.  William  W.  Mather,  of  Ohio,  and 
Prof.  Rogers.  Prof.  Mather  then  stated  some  facts  ob- 
served by  him,  in  relation  to  the  geology  of  the  northern 
shore  of  Lake  Superior. 


126 


Dr.  John  Bacon,  Jr.,  informed  the  Society  that  he  had 
recently  made  a  microscopic  examination  of  sand  from  the 
desert  of  Zahara,  taken  from  specimens  in  the  Society's 
cabinet. 

He  had  found  it  to  consist,  in  a  great  part,  of  siliceous  grains, 
with  a  few  Polythalamia  intermixed.  These  are  mostly  frag- 
ments. He  had  been  able  to  identify  only  one  species,  viz., 
Textularia  glohulosa.  He  intended  to  give  the  subject  further 
attention. 

Dr.  A.  Binney  exhibited  a  collection  of  fossils,  and  other 
geological  specimens,  from  the  strata  of  the  bluffs  at  Natchez, 
on  the  Mississippi  River. 

Dr.  B.  remarked  that  the  flat  alluvial  borders  of  the  lower 
Mississippi  are  interrupted,  in  several  places,  by  elevated  cliffs, 
generally  on  one  side  of  the  river  only,  at  the  foot  of  which  the 
channel  flows,  undermining  and  breaking  them  down  from  time 
to  time,  and  thus  exposing  a  natural  section  of  their  strata. 
These  elevations  are  known  as  bluffs.  The  bluff  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  Mississippi,  at  Natchez,  is  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  above  the  low-water  level  of  the  river.  It  is  made  up 
of  nearly  parallel  strata  of  calcareous  loams,  clays,  sands  and 
gravel,  which  contain  in  the  different  layers,  besides  inorganic 
substances,  great  numbers  of  terrestrial,  and  some  fluviatile,  shells, 
remains  of  mammalia,  and  numerous  water-worn,  agatized 
pebbles,  imbedding  corals,  madrepores,  encrinites,  and  marine 
shells.  Agatized  wood  and  lignites  arc  also  found.  No  detailed 
description  of  the  bluff  formation  has  yet  been  published ;  but 
in  the  limited  notices  which  have  been  given  it  appears  to  have 
been  taken  for  granted  to  be  wholly  the  result  of  diluvial  action,  and 
to  form  a  part  of  the  extensive  and  as  yet  not  fully  understood 
deposits,  known  as  diluvium  or  drift. 

An  incomplete  scries  of  specimens  from  the  different  strata, 
collected  at  Natchez,  by  Mr.  John  Bartlctt,  had  afforded  Dr.  B. 
an  opportunity  of  examining  the  fossil  land  shells,  and  of  com- 
paring them  with  existing  species  ;  and  the  result  of  this  examina- 
tion he  proceeded  to  lay  before  the  Society.  He  ventured  at  the 
same  time,  but  with  much  hesitation,  owing  to  his  want  of  famili- 


127 


arity  with  geological  subjects,  to  offer  some  suggestions  respect- 
ing the  upper  series  of  the  blufF  formation  itself. 

The  most  remarkable  portion  of  this  formation  is  the  upper 
bed,  or  that  next  below  the  soil  of  the  surface.  It  consists  of  a 
yellowish  calcareous  loam,  thickly  filled  in  many  places  with  ter- 
restrial shells,  and  in  others,  with  a  few  fluviatile  species.  The 
depth  or  thickness  of  this  bed  is  described  to  be  from  twenty  to 
fifty  feet.  The  material  of  which  it  is  composed  is  minutely 
comminuted,  and,  when  dried,  falls  into  an  impalpable  powder. 
The  shells  are  generally  unbroken,  the  most  delicate  edges  of  the 
aperture  remaining  entire,  and,  except  in  the  loss  of  color,  and 
the  want  of  cohesion  caused  by  the  destruction  of  their  animal 
matter,  they  are  precisely  similar  to  existing  species.  The  calca- 
reous concretions  and  bones,  found  in  this  bed,  are  also  mostly 
unbroken,  and  exhibit  no  marks  of  friction,  or  wear,  in  a  current 
of  water.  The  condition  of  the  bed,  and  of  its  contents,  seems, 
therefore,  to  forbid  the  opinion  that  they  ever  formed  a  part  of  a 
great  diluvial  current,  but  point  rather  to  a  slow  subsidence  of 
the  materials  in  still  water.  Under  any  other  circumstances,  the 
minute  particles  would  have  been  mixed  with  other  matter,  and 
the  shells,  some  of  them  of  a  thin  and  delicate  texture,  would 
have  been  mostly  fractured  and  crushed. 

Below  the  loam,  is  a  bed  of  light  ash-colored  marl,  containing 
fluviatile  shells,  and  having  a  thickness  of  from  five  to  ten  feet ; 
this,  with  only  an  intervening  stratum  of  fine  gravel,  is  succeeded 
by  a  bed  of  sandy  loam,  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet  in  thickness, 
containing  bones  of  the  mastodon.  The  other  deposits  are  mostly 
clays  and  sands,  with  calcareous  and  arenaceous  concretions,  and 
limonites,  of  too  soft  a  consistence,  and  too  loose  a  structure, 
ever  to  have  withstood  the  grinding  and  wearing  effects  of  a  rapid 
motion  in  a  stream  of  sand  and  water.  At  the  depth  of  one 
hundred  feet,  or  thereabouts,  (for  it  has  not  been  accurately 
measured,)  there  occurs  a  stratum  of  two  and  a  half  to  three 
feet  in  thickness,  of  rolled  and  water-worn  fragments  of  agate, 
calcedony,  cornelian  and  hornstone,  with  agatized  corals,  madre- 
pores and  encrinites,  having  precisely  the  appearance  they  might 
be  supposed  to  have  if  brought  down,  by  the  current,  from  the 
upper  districts  of  the  river.  Below  these,  clays  and  sands,  with 
concretionary   minerals,  fossilized  wood,  and   lignites,  imbedded 


128 


in  some  of  them,  are  noticed  to  low-water  mark.  The  last  bed, 
in  the  series  visible  above  water,  is  an  indurated  clay,  of  unknown 
thickness,  which  is  said  to  contain  bones  of  the  Zeughdon,  and 
apparently  belongs  to  the  tertiary  formations. 

Dr.  Binney  said  that,  in  the  course  of  the  examination,  he  had 
been  struck  with  the  near  resemblance  of  the  upper  beds  of  the 
bluff  to  the  deposit  in  the  valley  of  the  Rhine,  called  locally 
loess,  as  described  by  Mr.  Lyell.  Like  that,  they  consist  of  a 
yellowish  pulverulent  loam  filled  with  land-shells,  and  calcareous 
concretions ;  and  he  supposed  them  to  be  due  to  similar  causes. 
The  physical  characters  of  the  deposit,  and  its  contents,  go  far 
to  account  for  its  origin.  The  Mississippi,  draining,  through  ten 
thousand  channels,  a  vast  geographical  area,  bears  upon  its  sur- 
face the  light  objects  washed  down  the  streams  of  a  large  part  of 
the  central  portion  of  North  America,  and  holds  suspended,  in  its 
waters,  comminuted  particles,  derived  from  the  various  soils 
and  calcareous  strata  through  which  its  tributaries  pass.  During 
the  rainy  seasons,  its  accumulated  waters  rise  above  its  banks, 
and,  spreading  over  the  low  country,  form  shallow  lakes,  where 
they  remain  until  the  river  again  subsides  within  its  banks.  The 
deposit,  left  by  the  retiring  waters,  is  a  calcareous  loam,  and 
often  resembles  precisely  the  loamy  deposhs  of  the  bluff.  Like 
these,  too,  it  contains  land  and  fluviatile  shells  left  on  the  surface 
of  the  deposit,  and  sometimes  the  carcasses  of  animals  which 
have  been  turned  aside  from  the  main  current  of  the  river.  We 
have  only  to  suppose  then  the  region,  in  which  the  bluff  deposit 
prevails,  to  have  been  formerly  but  a  little  raised  above  the 
ordinary  level  of  the  Mississippi,  and,  consequently,  to  have  been 
subject  to  frequent  inundation  by  the  rising  of  its  waters,  or  that, 
from  the  damming  up  of  its  waters  below,  the  river  spread  out  into 
an  extensive  lake,  to  have  at  once  a  cause  adequate  to  such  a 
deposit  as  that  presented  by  the  strata  in  question.  The  present 
position  of  these  beds  is  easily  accounted  for  by  their  gradual 
uplifting  through  earthquake  action,  a  theory  by  no  means  a 
violent  one,  as  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  is  one  of  the  theatres 
of  modern  earthquakes,  and  has  been  disturbed  by  them  at  a 
period  yet  very  recent. 

Dr.  B.  stated  it  to  be  his  opinion,  derived  from  facts  that  had 
come  to  his  knowledge,  and  from  a  few  published  remarks  that 


129 


had  met  his  eye,  from  time  to  time,  that  the  loess,  so  to  call  it, 
is  an  extensive  formation  in  the  region  borderincj  on  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  that  it  will  be  found  largely  developed  there  and  in  the 
valleys  of  its  tributary  rivers.  He  had,  in  several  instances,  had 
brought  to  him  fossil  land-shells,  in  the  same  condition  as  those 
found  in  the  Natchez  bluff,  with  no  other  indication  of  their 
origin  than  that  they  were  obtained  in  Mississippi.  This  fact 
seemed  to  him  to  indicate  the  existence  of  other  localities  in  that 
vicinity.  Prof  David  D.  Owen,  of  New  Harmony,  Indiana,  has 
discovered  an  extensive  deposit  of  this  kind  in  Pusey  County,  on 
the  Wabash  River,  in  that  State.  It  is  a  fine  sandy  loam,  of  a 
yellowish-white  color.  It  occurs  on  the  upland,  from  twenty-five 
to  fifty  feet  above  the  bottom  land,  and  is  generally  reached  in 
digging  wells  at  the  distance  of  from  six  to  ten  feet  from  the  sur- 
face, and  has  been  penetrated  to  the  depth  of  twenty-five  feet, 
without  passing  through  it.  It  appears  also  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  Wabash,  in  Illinois,  at  about  the  same  level,  and  near 
Shawneetown,  on  the  Ohio  River,  forty  miles  distant.  Prof. 
Owen,  from  whom  this  information  was  obtained,  had  heard  that 
a  similar  deposit  had  been  noticed  in  an  analogous  situation  on 
the  Mississippi  River,  above  the  American  bottom,  opposite  St. 
Louis.  The  Wabash  deposit  contains  great  numbers  of  ter- 
restrial, and  some  fluvialile,  shells,  in  a  condition  similar  to  those 
of  the  Natchez  bluffs. ' 

On  the  whole,  Dr.  Binney  had  adopted  the  conclusion  that  the 
upper  beds  of  the  Natchez  bluffs  are  analogous  to  the  loess  of  the 
Rhine,  and  that  the  strata  are  the  result  of  flaviatile  action,  and 
not  attributable  to  the  drift.  A  long  period  of  gradual  sinking 
of  the  land,  producing  stratum  upon  stratum  of  sands,  clays, 
gravel,  marl  and  loam,  brought  down  by  the  waters,  succeeded 
by  another  lengthened  period  of  gradual  rising,  during  which  the 
river  cut  its  way  through  the  strata  it  had  before  deposited,  would 
account  for  all  the  existing  appearances.  In  this  view,  the  con- 
cretionary minerals,  contained  in  the  beds,  must  be  held  to  be 
the  result  of  chemical  action  among  their  materials,  after  they 
were  deposited. 


*  Hon.  B.  Tappan  stated  to  Dr.  B.,  verbally,  that  a  similar  deposit,  with  land- 
shells,  occurs  in  the  valley  of  the  Scioto,  near  Columbus,  Ohio. 


130 


The  species  of  land-shells  detected  in  the  loess^  in  the  speci- 
mens sent,  are  :  Helix  alholahris,  alternata,  concava,  elevata, 
exoleta,  gularis,  hirsuta,  inornata^  injlecta,  ligera,  monodon, 
palliata,  perspectiva,  profunda,  thyroidus ;  Helicina  orbiculata  ; 
Succinea  ohliqiia.  These  are  all  existing  species.  Several  of 
them  do  not  now  inhabit  the  neighborhood  of  Natchez,  though 
they  are  very  numerous  on  the  banks  of  the  more  northern  tribu- 
taries of  the  Mississippi. 

In  a  small  parcel  of  loess  from  the  Wabash  deposit.  Dr.  B. 
found  Helix  dausa,  hirsuta,  infecta,  lahyrinthica,  lineata,  thyroi- 
dus ;  Pupa  armifera  and  coniracta ;  Helicina  occulta ;  together 
with  several  species  of  Limnea,  Planorhis,  Amnicola  and  Val- 
vata ;  —  all  at  present  existing  in  that  region,  except  Helicina 
occulta,  a  rare  shell  when  recent,  but  very  plentiful  in  its  fossil 
state,  though  it  has  been  found  alive  in  south-western  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

A  careful  examination  of  both  deposits  would  no  doubt  bring 
to  view  other  species. 

Joseph  Peabody,  of  Salem,  and  Frederick  W.  Davis  and 
Thomas  Bailey,  of  Boston,  were  elected  Members  of  the 
Society. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

A  collection  (50  skins)  of  Australian  birds.  From  Russell 
Sturgis,  Esq. 

Three  cases  of  insects.     From  M.  S.  Perry,  M.  D. 

A  slab  of  flexible  sandstone,  18  inches  long,  3  inches  wide, 
and  1  inch  thick,  from  a  deposit  at  Spartacus,  S.  C.  From  Rob- 
ert W.  Gibbs,  M.  D.,  of  Columbia,  S.  C. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  For  March,  1846. 
From  the  Courtis  Fund. 

Gray,  G.  R.  Genera  of  Birds.  4to.  No.  23.  From  the 
Audubon  Fund. 

Transactions  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society.  Vol.  IX. 
part  2.     From  the  Society. 


131 


Proceedings  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society.  Septem- 
ber to  December,  1845.     From  the  same. 

Johannes  Roeper.  De  Organis  Plantarum.  4to.  Basilise,  1828. 
From  Prof.  Asa  Gray. 

Dana,  James  D.  On  the  Drawing  of  Crystals.  8vo  pamph. 
New  Haven.     From  the  same. 

Oakes,  William.  Catalogue  of  Vermont  Plants.  8vo  pamph. 
Ipswich,  Mass.     From  the  same. 

Croom,  H.  B.  Catalogue  of  Plants  in  the  vicinity  of  Newborn, 
N.  C.     8vo  pamph.     New  York,  1837.     From  the  same. 

Supplement  to  the  Appendix  to  Capt.  Parry's  Voyage.  4to 
pamph.     London.     From  the  same. 

Lichenes.  Auctoribus  Julio  Meyer  et  Julio  de  Floter.  4to 
pamph.     From  the  same. 

Sprengel  Antonio.  Tentamen  Supplementi  ad  Systematis  Ve- 
getabilium  Linneani  editionem  decimam-sextam.  8vo  pamph. 
Gottingse,  1828.     From  the  same. 


April  15,  1846. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


Letters  were  read  from  B.  L.  C.  Wailes,  Esq.,  of  Wash- 
ington, Mississippi,  and  John  T.  Plummer,  M.  D.,  of  Madi- 
son, Indiana,  severally  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  notice 
of  their  election  as  corresponding  members  ;  and  from  Mr. 
George  Ditson,  of  Cuba,  and  M.  Tuomey,  Esq.,  accom- 
panying donations. 

Mr.  Charles  Stodder  gave  a  verbal  description  of  some 
appearances  in  the  strata  of  di'i/t,  in  a  ridge,  on  the  north 
flank  of  the  hill  at  South  Boston,  called  Mount  Washington, 
unlike  any  which  had  been  described,  so  far  as  he  knew, 
and  which,  he  thought,  could  not  be  accounted  for  by  any 
of  the  theories  proposed  to  explain  the  phenomena  of  drift. 

Mr.  Stodder  stated  that  the  general  form  of  the  ridge  is  narrow 


132 


and  elongated,  its  length  being  about  thirty  rods,  its  width  at  base 
ten  rods,  and  its  height  above  tide  water,  which  washes  its  side, 
about  fifty  feet.  It  runs  in  nearly  an  east-and-west  direction. 
Excavations,  for  the  purpose  of  removing  the  materials,  have 
been  made,  which  expose  sections  in  all  directions.  It  is  com- 
posed of  regular  strata  of  gravel,  clay,  and  sands,  of  varying 
fineness  and  color.  The  general  appearance  of  the  strata  is  that 
they  conform  to  the  shape  of  the  hill,  dipping  outwards  in  all 
directions,  as  far  as  they  are  exposed  ;  some  of  them  terminate 
abruptly  upwards,  as  if  denuded,  and  their  edges  are  overlaid  by 
unstratified  materials.  The  north-west  is  covered  by  pebbles, 
large  and  small,  with  coarse  gravel  ;  the  south-west  by  finer 
gravel  ;  the  south-east  is  fine  sand,  unstratified,  so  far  as  can 
now  be  seen ;  and  the  north-east  and  north  is  fine  sand  stratified. 
But  the  most  interesting  fact  presented  is,  that  the  strata  of  sands, 
clay  and  gravel  are  fractured  in  various  directions  ;  many  of  the 
fractures  causing  shifts  or  faults  of  the  strata.  In  one  section 
three  horizontal  fractures  are  to  be  seen,  one  over  the  other  ;  in 
another,  a  fracture,  dipping  a  few  degrees  from  vertical,  has 
caused  a  fault  of  about  three  feet ;  in  another,  two  fractures, 
nearly  vertical,  and  about  three  feet  from  each  other,  have 
caused  faults  of  about  two  feet  each,  so  that  the  section  presents 
the  strata  arranged  in  echelon.  One  fracture,  in  a  direction 
about  fifteen  or  twenty  degrees  from  horizontal,  can  be  traced 
distinctly  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet,  cutting  all  the  strata  in  its 
course,  and  making  a  fault  of  a  few  inches  in  all.  The  fractures 
are  almost  innumerable,  and  in  almost  every  direction.  There 
are  certainly  two,  if  not  three,  strata  of  clay  ;  and,  in  one  section, 
there  is  exposed,  and  cut  through,  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the 
mass  of  the  hill,  a  mass  of  clay,  about  eight  feet  high,  and  ten 
feet  wide.  It  is  unstratified,  and  disturbs  the  stratified  sands, 
with  which  it  comes  in  contact,  as  if  it  had  been  forced  in 
amongst  them. 

Mr.  S.  considered  that  the  indications  of  all  the  phenomena 
presented  at  this  place,  justify  the  inference  that  the  ridge  has 
been  produced  by  a  crowding  up  of  the  stratified  materials, 
from  their  original  horizontal  position,  by  some  powerful  force 
applied  laterally. 

Prof.  C.  B.  Adanfis  communicated  a  Memoir  on  the  Mol- 


133 


lusca  of  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  with  remarks  on  their  geo- 
graphical distribution  and  habits,  extended  descriptions  of 
newly-observed  species,  and  remarks  on  those  already 
known. 

The  materials,  from  which  Mr.  Adams  prepared  this  paper, 
were  collected  by  him,  personally,  during  a  visit  to  Jamaica,  in 
the  winter  and  spring  of  1843  and  1844.  The  portion  of  the 
island  explored  was  but  small,  comprising  the  Bay  of  Port  Royal 
only  on  the  south  shore,  and  the  coast  from  Annatto  Bay,  inclu- 
sive, to  Rio  Bueno,  a  distance  of  sixty  miles,  on  the  north  ;  and, 
in  the  interior,  the  region  between  Kingston  and  Spanish  Town, 
on  the  south,  and  Annatto  Bay  and  GaHna  Point,  on  the  north. 

The  author  states  that  the  differences  in  the  terrestrial  species 
occupying  the  sandstone,  and  limestone,  districts  respectively,  is 
very  striking,  and  the  transition  instantaneous.  Cyclostoma, 
Helicina  and  Cylindrella  are  restricted  to  the  limestone  district, 
as  also  the  larger  species  of  Bulimus,  Achatina,  Pupa  and  Helix ; 
while  the  minuter  species  of  the  latter  genera,  and  Siiccinea^  are, 
for  the  most  part,  common  to  both.  The  bases  of  perpendicular 
limestone  cliffs,  and  cavernous  limestone  rocks,  were  invariably 
found  to  afford  immense  numbers  of  land-shells.  Such  places 
are  the  favorite  retreat  of  the  Colimacea,  during  seasons  of 
drought ;  and  here  great  numbers  of  their  shells  were  collected. 
The  marine  species,  inhabiting  a  rocky  station,  are  also  most 
abundant  on  limestone  rocks.  These  rocks  are  worn  by  the 
waves  into  irregular  cavities  of  various  dimensions,  which  afford 
shelter  to  multitudes  of  them. 

The  profusion  in  which  these  animals  are  distributed,  in  favor- 
able localities,  is  shown  by  the  fact  that,  near  a  place  called 
Goshen,  Prof  Adams  obtained  forty  terrestrial  species,  within 
a  circuit  of  two  miles  in  diameter,  and  on  the  inner  side  of  the 
peninsula,  one  hundred  marine  species,  within  a  space  of  two 
miles  from  Port  Royal. 

One  of  the  causes  affecting  the  increase  of  the  terrestrial 
species,  and,  at  the  same  time,  affording  a  curious  instance  of  the 
indirect  influence  of  human  agency  in  disturbing  the  equilibrium 
of  species,  is  stated  to  be  their  frequent  destruction  by  rats.  The 
cultivation  of  the  coffee  plant  tends  to  the  excessive  multiplication 


134 


of  rats,  which  feed  upon  the  pulp  of  the  berry.  Their  numbers 
were  formerly  restrained  by  the  employment  of  rat-catchers  on 
the  coffee  estates.  Since  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves,  this 
occupation  has  been  neglected,  and  the  vermin  have  multiplied 
to  an  astonishing  degree.  Not  content  with  their  usual  domestic 
ravages,  and  the  destruction  of  ripening  coffee,  they  destroy  vast 
numbers  of  land-moUusks.  The  shells  are  found  in  a  fresh  state, 
but  with  a  hole  nibbled  in  one  of  the  whorls  for  the  extraction  of 
the  animal.  Of  a  majority  of  species  of  Cyclosioma  and  Heli- 
cina,  and  of  several  of  Helix,  which  occurred  abundantly  at  Rio 
Bueno,  four  fifths  of  the  fresh  specimens  had  been  destroyed  in 
this  way.  As  the  older  shells,  which  had  begun  to  decompose, 
were  entire,  it  may  be  inferred  that  this  agency  is  of  recent  date. 

Among  the  notices  of  the  habits  of  the  terrestrial  species,  Prof. 
A.  mentions  the  activity  with  which  they  move,  and  the  rapidity 
with  which  they  climb  the  trees  during  wet  weather,  as  something 
that  astonishes  persons  accustomed  to  the  sluggish  motions  of  the 
species  of  northern  latitudes.  The  semi-maritime  habits  of  some 
of  the  species  are  noticed.  Cyclostoma  maritimum  and  Helicina 
costata  are  examples.  Both  occur  at  the  water-side,  within  reach 
of  the  spray,  and  the  latter  under  stones  thrown  up  by  the  sea. 
The  first  is  rarely,  and  the  latter  apparently  never,  found  in  the 
interior.  The  species  most  nearly  associated  with  the  latter,  in 
habit,  is  Litiorina  muricata. 

Prof.  Adams  enumerates  the  following  species,  natives  of  New 
England,  as  existing  also  in  Jamaica,  viz.,  Buccinum  vibex,  Say, 
Cerithium  terebrale,  Limnea  umhilicata.  Helix  chersina,  Pupa 
contracta,  Pupa  rupicola,  Modiola  harhata,  Lucina  divaricata. 

The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  genera,  and  of  the  number 
of  species  of  each,  described  in  this  paper.  A  remarkable 
feature  in  it  is  the  total  absence  of  the  Naiades.  The  arrange- 
ment, here  given,  is  alphabetical. 

Acasta,  1.  Achatina,  8.  Amphidesma,  2.  Ampullaria,  1. 
Anatifa,  2.  Ancylus,  1.  Anomia,  1.  Area,  9.  Auricula,  4. 
Avicula,  2.  Balanus,  3.  Buccinum,  8.  Bulimus,  8.  Bulla,  4. 
Calyptrea,  1.  Cardita,  1.  Cardium,  1.  Cassis,  1.  Cassidaria,  1. 
Cerithium,  14.  Chama,  1.  Chemnitzia,  2.  Chiton,  11.  Conia, 
1.  Conus,  3.  Crepidula,  2.  Cyclostoma,  21.  Cylindrella,  9. 
Cypraa,  6.   Cytherea,  4.   Dolium,  2.    Donax,  2.   Emarginula,  1. 


135 


Erato,  1.  Eulima,  1.  Fasciolaria,  1.  Fissurella,  10.  Fusus,  2. 
Hclicina,  13.  Helix,  21.  Janthina,  2.  Lima,  4.  Limrxea,  1. 
Litiopa,  1.  Littorina,  10.  Lucina,  9.  Mactra,  1.  Marginella,  1. 
Melanopsis,  1.  Mitra,  5.  Modiola,  3.  Mytilus,  2.  Murex,  5. 
Natica,  2.  Nerita,  4.  Neritina,  7.  Oliva,  5.  Ostrea,  3.  Ovula, 
1.  Paludina,  1.  Patella,  5.  Pecten,  3.  Pectunculus,  1.  Pedipes, 
1.  Perna,  3.  Phasianella,  1.  Pholas,  2.  Physa,  1.  Pileopsis,  1. 
Pinna,  2.  Planaxis,  1.  Planorbis,  2.  Pleurotoma,  15.  Plicatula, 
1.  Psammobia,  3.  Pupa,  5.  Purpura,  6.  Pyrgoma,  1.  Pyrula, 
1.  Ranella,  1.  Rissoa,  7.  Scalaria,  2.  Sigaretus,  1.  Solarium, 
1.  Spirula,  1.  Spondylus,  1.  Strombus,  3.  Succinea,  2.  Tel- 
lina,  10.  Teredo,  1.  Thetis,  2.  Triton,  6.  Truncatella,  3.  Tur- 
binella,  3.  Turbo,  5.  Vaginulus,  1.  Venus,  5. 
Total  of  genera,  97. 
"     of  species,  365. 


DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Specimens  o(  Paludina  piscium,  D'^Orligny.  From  Uruguay, 
by  J.  S.  Phillips,  of  Philadelphia. 

A  box  of  copper  ores,  from  Cuba.    By  George  Ditson,  of  Cuba. 

A  collection  of  fossils,  from  the  bluff  formation  at  Natchez, 
Miss.     By  A.  Binney. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Annals  of  the  Lyceum  of  Natural  History  of  New  York.  8vo. 
Vol.  IV.  No.  5.     1846.     From  the  Lyceum. 

Redfield,  John  H.  Descriptions  of  New  Species  of  Shells. 
8vo  pamph.     New  York,  1846.     From  the  Author. 

Calcutta  Journal  of  Natural  History,  conducted  by  John 
McClelland.  8vo.  Nos.  9  and  12.  Calcutta,  1843.  From  the 
Editor, 


186 


May  6,  1846. 

Annual  Meeting. 
T.  T.  Bouve,  Esq.,  in  the  Chair. 

Reports  from  the  several  Curators,  concerning  the  condi- 
tion of  the  respective  departments  of  the  Museum,  were 
read.  From  these  it  appeared  that  a  gratifying  increase  had 
taken  place  in  nearly  all  of  them,  and  that  all  the  objects 
were  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  The  want  of  sufficient 
room  for  the  useful  exhibition  of  the  collections  was  enlarged 
upon,  and  the  necessity  of  procuring  further  accommodations 
at  no  distant  day  was  made  manifest. 

The  Librarian  made  a  report  on  the  state  of  the  Library, 
showing  its  condition  and  increase  during  the  past  year. 
The  number  of  volumes,  and  parts  of  volumes,  added  during 
that  time,  is  one  hundred  and  forty-three.  The  most  valu- 
able of  these  were  procured  by  purchase,  and  the  year  was 
not  distinguished  by  any  considerable  donation. 

The  Treasurer  reported  upon  the  financial  condition  of 
the  Society. 


The  amount  of  the  permanent  fund,  well  invest- 
ed, is,  .  .  .  ■  . 

The  ordinary  income  during  the  year,  derived 
from  fees  of  admission  and  annual  assessments 
on  the  members,  were, 

The  ordinary  expenses  for  rent,  fuel,  care  of  the 
collections,  printing,  &c.,  were, 

Balance  in  hands  of  the  Treasurer, 

The  income  of  the  permanent  fund  was, 
The  balance  on  hand  at  the  commencement  of 
the  year  was, 


$12,000  00 


530  37 


509  65 


20  72 


582  50 
421  88 


1004  38 


137 

The  expenditure  on  account  of  the  Journal,  Pro- 
ceedings, Library,  &c.  .  .  .  $856  37 


Balance  on  hand  .  .  .  .  $148  01 

The  Society  then  ballotted  for  officers  for  the  ensuing 
year,  and  the  following  gentlemen  were  chosen : 

Presidenty 
Amos  Binney. 

Vice  Presidents, 
Charles  T.  Jackson,  D.  Humphreys  Storer- 

Corresponding  Secretary, 
Augustus  A.  Gould. 

Recording  Secretary, 
Thomas   Bulfinch. 

Treasurer, 
Patrick  T.  Jackson,  Jr. 

Curators, 
J.  E.  Teschemacher,  Botany, 
Martin  Gay,  Mineralogy, 

Thomas  T.  Bouve,     Geology, 
N.  B.  ShurtlefT,  Comparative  Anatomy, 

Samuel  Cabot,  Jr.,     Ornithology, 
Jeffries  Wyman,         Ichthyology  and  Herpetology, 
T.  William  Harris,    Entomology, 
John  Bacon,  Jr.,         Conchology. 

Librarian, 
Charles  K.  Dillaway. 

Cabinet  Keeper, 
Henry  J.  Bigelow. 

PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H.  14  JULY,   1846. 


138 

May  20,  1846. 

A.  A.  Gould,  M.  D.,  in  the  chair. 

Professor  Jeffries  Wyman  read  a  report  on  the  fossil  cra- 
nium and  lower  jaw  of  an  extinct  Rodent,  which  had  been 
referred  to  him  for  examination  ;  the  same  which  is  men- 
tioned on  page  103  of  this  volume. 

Professor  Wyman  considers  it  to  have  belonged  to  the  same 
animal,  of  which  a  lower  jaw,  and  an  incisor  tooth  of  the  upper 
jaw,  were  described  by  Mr,  J.  W.  Foster,  one  of  the  assistants  in 
the  Geological  Survey  of  Ohio,  and  to  which  the  name  of  Cas- 
toroides  Ohioensis  has  been  given.  The  subject  of  Professor 
Wyman's  remarks,  and  those  described  by  Mr.  Foster,  are  the 
only  remains  of  the  animal  which  have  been  observed  hitherto. 
The  cranium  surpasses  in  size  that  of  any  fossil  or  existing  ani- 
mal, referable  to  the  same  order. 

On  comparing  it  with  other  skulls  of  Rodents,  it  presents 
some  analogies  to  the  genera  Castor,  Fiber,  and  Hydrochcerus. 
Osteologically  considered,  it  has  stronger  affinities  with  the  Cas- 
tors,  than  with  either  of  the  other  genera  ;  but,  in  the  dentition, 
the  type  is  totally  different  from  that  of  the  Castors,  and  not 
unlike  that  of  the  HydrochcBrus  ;  to  the  conformation  of  the 
pterygoid  processes  and  fossae,  some  resemblance  exists  in  the 
Fibers. 

It  also  differs  from  the  Castors  in  the  much  smaller  relative 
capacity  of  the  cerebral  cavity,  in  the  greater  depression  of  the 
occiput,  in  the  form  of  the  condyles  and  of  the  foramen  mag- 
num ;  the  former  admitting  of  a  free  motion  vertically,  but  of  a 
very  limited  one  in  a  lateral  direction,  and  the  latter  having  an 
oval  form  and  destitute  of  an  emargination  on  its  upper  border ; 
it  differs  from  the  Castors,  also,  in  the  size  of  the  pterygoid  pro- 
cesses and  fossaj,  especially  in  the  incurvation  of  the  internal 
ones,  and  the  consequent  subdivision  of  the  posterior  nares  ;  in 
the  compound  nature  of  the  molares,  and  in  the  fluting  of  the 
anterior  face  of  the  incisive  teeth  ;  the  diminutive  size  of  the 
incisive  foramina,  and  in  the  conformation  of  the  lower  jaw,  with 


139 

reference  to  the  insertion  of  the  muscles  of  mastication.  The 
molares  consist  of  lamincC,  the  first  lower  and  the  last  upper 
tooth  each  having  four,  the  rest  only  three  ;  which,  as  in  the 
elephant  and  Hydrochcerus,  consist  of  dentine  enveloped  with 
enamel,  and  are  united  together  by  csementum  ;  the  number  of 
lamince,  however,  in  the  posterior  molares  of  the  Hydrochserus 
amounts  to  thirteen,  and  the  interspaces  are  imperfectly  filled  with 
csementum,  so  that  the  edges  are  serrated,  and  in  the  interior 
teeth  the  enamel  is  more  or  less  involuted  ;  in  the  Castoroides 
the  number  of  laminae  does  not  exceed  four,  and  the  csementum 
fills  the  whole  of  the  interspaces,  so  that  the  tooth  is  destitute  of 
serrated  edges. 

The  internal  pterygoid  processes,  differ  from  those  of  all 
existing  genera,  having  a  remarkable  curvature  inwards  towards 
the  median  line,  the  most  prominent  points  coming  in  contact 
on  the  median  line,  so  as  to  divide  the  entrance  to  the  posterior 
nares  into  two.  The  internal  pterygoid  fossae  are  deep  excava- 
tions, as  is  the  case  in  the  Fiber,  where  the  external  as  well  as 
the  internal  process  is  well  developed. 

The  jaw  described  by  Mr.  Foster  somewhat  exceeded  in  size 
that  described  in  the  present  article. 

The  generic  characters,  which  have  been  deduced  from  this 
cranium,  are  as  follow  : 

Teeth  :  Incisors  |  -f,  Canines  %  §,  Molars  |  J,  total  20  ;  in- 
cisors longitudinally  striated  in  front.  Molars  consist  of  thin 
laminae  of  dentine,  surrounded  by  enamel,  and  the  different 
laminae  united  together  by  crusta  petrosa  ;  the  first  tooth  in  the 
upper,  and  the  last  in  the  lower  jaw  have  each  four  laminae,  and 
the  remaining  teeth  have  only  three  each.  The  grinding  sur- 
faces of  the  crowns  are  nearly  flat,  but  slightly  excavated  be- 
tween the  ridges  of  enamel.  The  internal  pterygoid  fossae  are 
largely  developed,  and  the  internal  processes  so  far  deflected 
inwards  as  to  meet  on  the  median  line,  and  divide  the  entrance 
to  the  posterior  nares  transversely,  thus  forming  a  superior  and 
an  inferior  orifice. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    JIUSEUM. 

Tertiary  Fossils  from  Acquia  Creek,Virginia.  From  Professor 
Jeffries  Wyman. 


140 


ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Gray,  G.  H.  Genera  of  Birds.  4to.  Part  25.  Courtis 
Fund. 

American  Journal  of  Science,  for  May,  1846.  From  the 
Editors. 

American  Quarterly  Journal  of  Agriculture  and  Science.  Vol. 
III.  No.  2.     Albany  :   1846.     From  the  Editors, 

Proceedings  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  from  Jan- 
uary to  April,  1846.         From  the  Society. 


June  3,  1846. 

D.  H.  Storer,  M.  D.,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  directed  the  attention  of  the  Society 
to  a  statement  made  by  Professor  Owen,  in  regard  to  the 
dentition  of  the  Mastodon.     (^Odontography,  p.  615.) 

One  of  the  distinctive  characters,  he  says,  is  a  displacement 
of  the  first  and  second  molars,  in  the  vertical  direction,  by  a 
tooth  which  is  developed  above  them  in  the  upper,  and  below 
them  in  the  under  jaw,  and  this  has  been  recognized  in  the 
M.  giganteum  and  M.  angustidens.  In  a  note,  however,  at  the 
bottom  of  the  page,  he  says  :  "  The  presence  of  the  small  pre- 
molar in  the  lower  jaw  has  not  yet  been  determined  ;  neither 
has  its  absence.  An  excavation  in  the  jaw  of  the  young  mas- 
todon, described  by  Dr.  God  man,  at  the  place  where  the  germ 
of  the  premolar  is  hypothetically  stated  in  PI.  144,  fig.  7,  b.  1, 
would  determine  this  point  in  regard  to  the  M.  giganteum.'^ 
Dr.  Jackson  then  showed  the  lower  jaw  of  a  young  animal,  from 
the  Mastodon  Collection  which  is  now  at  Cambridge,  and  in 
which,  as  he  formerly  observed,  (Proceedings  of  the  Society, 
October,  1845,)  the  first  three  molars  are  developed  and  above 
the  socket.     Below  the  second  of  these  teeth,  and  in  the  outside 


141 

of  the  jaw,  corresponding  to  the  situation  of  Professor  Owen's 
sketch  of  the  premolar,  Dr.  Jackson  had  made  a  large  and  deep 
excavation,  exposing  the  fangs  of  the  second  tooth,  removing 
some  of  the  bone  from  between  them,  and  opening  freely  into 
the  dental  canal,  but  without  finding  any  appearance  of  the 
tooth  which  Professor  Owen  considers  as  characteristic  of  the 
Mastodon.  Dr.  Hays,  also,  in  his  paper  upon  the  "  Inferior 
Maxillary  Bones  of  Mastodons,"  &c.,  (Transactions  of  the  Ame- 
rican Philosophical  Society,  Vol.  IV.  p.  319,)  speaks  of  having 
examined  about  forty  lower  jaws,  but  says  nothing  of  such  a 
tooth. 

Dr.  Jackson  then  alluded,  for  explanation,  to  that  part  of  his 
former  Report  upon  the  Cambridge  Collection,  (Proceedings  of 
the  Society,  October,  1845,)  in  which  he  speaks  of  six  as  the 
true  number  of  the  molar  teeth  in  31.  giganteum,  at  least  in  the 
lower  jaw,  and  in  which  he  inferred,  from  a  statement  of  Pro- 
fessor Owen,  (Annals  of  Natural  History,  Vol.  XI.  p.  330,) 
that  he  considered  five  as  the  number ;  the  inference  was  cer- 
tainly a  fair  one.  He  now  finds  that  in  the  Odontography, 
which  he  had  not  seen  when  his  Report  was  made.  Professor 
Owen  describes  seven  molars,  generally  so  called,  on  each  side 
and  in  each  jaw,  but  with  the  saving  clause  above  quoted  in 
regard  to  the  lower.  Dr.  Jackson's  observation,  then,  as  to  the 
number  of  the  molar  teeth  in  the  lower  jaw,  corresponds  with 
that  of  Professor  Owen,  except  for  the  "  small  premolar,"  of 
the  existence  of  which  no  proof  has  yet  been  given. 

Dr.  Gould  announced  that,  being  employed  in  the  exam- 
ination of  the  Shells  collected  by  the  United  States  Explor- 
ing Expedition,  commanded  by  Charles  Wilkes,  U.  S.  N., 
he  proposed  to  read  before  the  Society,  from  time  to  time, 
as  they  might  be  prepared,  descriptions  of  the  new  species, 
in  anticipation  of  their  future  publication,  in  a  more  ex- 
tended form,  and  fully  illustrated  by  figures,  as  one  of  the 
volumes  of  the  great  work  on  the  Expedition,  issued  by 
Congress. 

He  commenced  with  the  following  species  of  the  genus 
Chiton. 


142 

Chiton  lignosus.  Testa  solidula,  ovata,  tectiformis,  csesia, 
lineolis  fuscis  inequalibus  subradiantibus  marmorata,  systemate 
duplici  punctorum  majorum  et  punctorum  minorum  impressa ; 
valvis  planulatis,  angulatis,  sine  rostris ;  areis  lateralibus  baud 
elevatis,  vix  distinctis ;  valva  anteriori  parva ;  valva  posteriori 
vix  umbonata :  intus  esruginosa.  Long.  1J-,  lat.  |-  poll.  Hah. 
Puget  Sound. 

Has  the  form  of  C.  setiger,  and  somewhat  the  coloring  of 
Cfulvus,  Wood.     It  is  also  allied  to  C.  tulipa,  Quoy. 

Chiton  quercinus.  Testa  depressa,  ovalis,  vix  carlnata,  quer- 
cina,  maculis  olivaceis  nubeculata  ;  valvis  subrostratis  ;  areis  late- 
ralibus vix  elevatis,  longitudinaliter  sulcatis,  sulcis  incumbentibus 
et  sulco  radiante  bisectis ;  areis  centralibus  ad  latera  lineis  ragosis 
longitudinaliter  sculptis,  ad  dorsum  punctatis  ;  valva  anteriori  sulcis 
concentricis  et  sulcis  radiantibus  remotioribus  decussata ;  valva 
posteriori  prope  marginem  umbonata  ;  margine  lato,  pruinoso, 
fiavescente.     Long.  |-,  lat.  f  poll.     Hab.  New  South  Wales. 

Allied  to  C.  foveolatus.,  Sowerby. 

Chiton  jugosus.  Testa  ovalis,  carinata,  tectiformis,  nitida, 
coloribuspallide  et  saturate  herbeis  variegata  ;  valvis  planulatis,  ad 
apices  adunco-acuminatis;  areis  lateralibus  prominentibus,et  lineo- 
lis confertis  parallelis  viridibus  longitudinaliter  notatis ;  areis  cen- 
tralibus sulcis  acutis  parallelis  longitudinaliter  aratis,  sed  ad  ver- 
ticem  simplicibus  et  minutissime  punctatis  ;  valva  anteriori  con- 
centrice  lineolata  ;  valva  posteriori  umbonata,  prope  marginem 
concentrice  lineolata,  prasler  aream  terminalem  triangularem 
luteolam  ;  margine  granulate,  fasciis  ca^ruleis  et  viridibus  limbato  : 
intus  pallide  virescens.  Long.  1,  lat.  f  poll.  Hah.  New  South 
Wales. 

Resembles  C.  Siciilus,  which,  however,  has  radiating  lines  on 
the  lateral  areas. 

Chiton  fruticosus.  Testa  ovalis,  valde  elongata,  transversirn 
arcuata,  omnino  textiliter  punctata,  olivacea,  maculis  minutis 
saturatioribus  fulgurantibus  variegata  ;  valvis  baud  rostratis  ;  areis 
lateralibus  prominentibus,  et  lineis  elevatis  interruptis  ramosis  ra- 
diatis ;  areis  centralibus  lineis  longitudinalibus  rugosis,  ad  latera 
profundis,  ad  dorsum  evanidis  et  arcuatis  sculptis  ;  area  posteriori 
magna,  umbonata,  lineis  inconspicuis,  interdum  divaricatis,  radi- 


143 

ata  :  intus  flavo-olivacea  :  ligamentum  latum,  pallidum,  minutis- 
sime  granulatum.  Long.  1^,  lat.  |  poll.  Hab.  New  South 
Wales. 

Resembles  fig.  61  of  Sowerby's  Conch.  Illustr.,  which  is  said 
to  be  a  variety  of  C.  Indicus,  but  which  has  no  ramose  sculpture 
on  the  lateral  areas. 

Chiton  platessa.  Testa  parva,  tenuis,  elongato-ovaiis,  trans- 
versim  arcuata,  citrino-olivacea,  ubique  minutissime  punctata ; 
areis  lateralibus  parvis,vixelevatis,lineis  2-3  inconspicuis  striatis; 
areis  centralibus  lineis  confertis  acutis  granulatis  arcuatim  decus- 
satis ;  valva  postica  magna,  obscure  radiata ;  margine  virente, 
fusco  tessellato,  minutissime  granulate:  intus  ca3ruleo-virescens. 
Long.  I,  lat.  ^\  poll.     Hab.  New  South  Wales. 

Similar  in  its  general  aspect  to  C.  fniiicosus,  but  smaller, 
smoother,  and  the  sculpture  of  the  lateral  areas  and  terminal 
valves  enlirely  different.  It  is  almost  exactly  like  fig.  67  of  the 
*' Conchological  Illustrations." 

Chiton  jaspideus.  Testa  ovata,  tenuis,  carinata,  ubique  mi- 
nutissime punctata,  coloribus  rosaceis  plus  minusve  saturatis 
picta  ;  areis  centralibus  lineis  minutis  granosis  confertissime  stri- 
atis ;  areis  lateralibus  indistinctis,  et  lineis  3  ad  4  sparse  granu- 
osis  radiatim  notatis ;  valvis  terminalibus  granoso-striatis,  postica 
excavata ;  margine  coriaceo,  pruinoso.  Long.  1,  lat.  y^  poll. 
Hab.  Callao. 

Resembles,  in  size,  shape,  and  sculpture,  C.  apiculatus,  Say ; 
but  the  sculpture  is  more  delicate,  and  the  color,  resembling 
some  varieties  of  jasper,  is  quite  distinctive. 

Chiton  puniceus,  (Couthouy  MS.)  Testa  parva,  oblongo- 
elliptica,  elevata,  ad  dorsum  carinata,  punctatissima,  punicea, 
gradibus  setatis  conspicuis  obtusis  signata  :  areis  lateralibus  prse- 
rupte  elevatis,  et  sparsim  granulatis ;  areis  centralibus  costulis 
longitudinalibus  parallelis  ad  6,  plerumque  ad  medium  dislocatis, 
clathratis ;  valva  posteriori  rostro  parvulo  acuto  et  septo  transver- 
sali  notato  :  ligamentum  minutissime  imbricatum,  adversum  su- 
turas  albido  fasciatum.  Long.  J-,  lat.  -^q  poll.  Hab.  Orange 
Harbor. 

Very  much  resembles  C.  ruber,  Lowe. 

Chiton  confossus.     Testa  parva,  ovata,  fastigiata,  pallida, 


144 

roseo  et  incamato  concinne  variegata  ;  valvis  rostratis  ;  areis 
lateralibus  elevatis,  serie  postica  squamarum  et  serie  obliqua 
squamarum  majorum  ad  apicem  spectantium  finitis  ;  intervallo 
Isevigato,  et  granulis  paucis  annulatis  sparso  ;  areis  centralibus 
plerumque  Isevibus  sed  punctis  sparsis  triangularibus  retrospec- 
tantibus  confossis  ;  valva  posteriori  valde  gibbosa,  umbone  fere 
terminali,  dentibus  insertionis  9,  et  ad  valvam  anteriorem  25,  pec- 
tinatis  :  margine  fusco,  carnoso.  Long,  f ,  lat.  f  poll.  Hab.  Fee- 
jee  Islands. 

Allied  to  C.  sculptus,  Sowb.,  which  has  three  lateral  rays  and 
the  central  areas  smooth. 

Chiton  prijinosus.  Testa  parva,  oblongo-elliptica,  convexo- 
elevata,  subcarinata,  coloribus  variis  olivaceis,  cinereis,  et  fusco- 
rubris  irrorata  et  maculata  ;  areis  centralibus  sub  lente  omnino 
quincuncialiter  punctatis ;  areis  lateralibus  longitudinaliter  im- 
bricato-striatis  :  intus  virescens  :  margo  minutissime  granulatus, 
coloribus  fuscis  et  cinereis  tessellatus.  Long,  y^g-,  lat.  /^  poll. 
Hab.  Rio  Janeiro. 

The  sculpture  of  this  very  variably-colored  species  is  suffi- 
ciently characteristic.  Between  the  stria?  are  usually  found 
minute  pores,  probably  produced  by  some  parasite. 

Chiton  viridulus,  (Couthouy  MS.)  Testa  tenuis,  oblongo- 
ovata,  dilutissime  olivacea,  ad  dorsum  sub-carinata,  utrinque  sub- 
canaliculata,  ubique  sub  lente  quincuncialiter  insculpta  ;  areis 
centralibus  et  lateralibus  parum  distinctis  ;  lineis  incrementi  prope 
marginem  conspicuis  ;  valvis  terminalibus  leviter  radiatis  :  margo 
minutissime  squamatus.  Long.  -|,  lat.  /g-  poll.  Hab.  Orange 
Harbor. 

Chiton  petaloides.  Testa  parva,  tenuis,  ovalis,  arcuatim 
elevata,  subcarinata,  dilute  citrina  ;  areis  lateralibus  elevatis,  ru- 
gose granulatis,  et  striis  radiantibus  ad  4  insculptis  ;  areis  centra- 
libus longitudinaliter  rugose  granulato-punctatis,  et  lineolis  tenu- 
issimis  angulatis  dilute  violaceis  pictis  ;  valva  posteriori  acute 
umbonata  et  costa  transversali  divisa  :  margo  stramineus,  minutis- 
sime granulato-imbricatus.  Long.  ^,  lat.  §  poll.  Hab.  Sand- 
wich Islands. 

A  very  beautiful  and  peculiar  shell,  its  markings  resembling 
the  venated  petals  of  some  flowers. 


145 

Chiton  dentiens.  Testa  minima,  ovata,  carinata,  olivacea, 
ad  dorsum  albido  fulmlnata,  omnino  minutissime  granulata  ;  areis 
vix  dislinclis  ;  valvis  rostralis  poslice  subdenticulatis,  dentibus  albi- 
dis  :  margo  pruinosus.  Long.  ■},  lat.  ^\  poll.  Hab.  Paget 
Sound. 

Resembles  C.  alternatus^  Sowb.,  which,  however,  has  radiating 
ribs  upon  its  lateral  areas  and  terminal  valves. 

Chiton  incanus.  Testa  solida,  oblongo-ovalis,  valde  convexa, 
cinereo  et  nigro  variegata,  concentrice  undulato-striata,  granulis 
sparsis  nigris  aspersa,  ad  dorsum  subcarinata  et  longitudinaliter 
nigro  bifasciata;  areis  lateralibus  vix  distinctis  :  margo  aculeis 
inequalibus  curtis  curvatis  nigris  et  canescentibus  indutus.  Lcng. 
ly\,  lat.  i  poll.     Hah.  New  South  Wales. 

Like  C.  piceus,  Gray,  in  general  appearance,  and  still  more 
like  C.  petholatus,  which  has  a  hairy  margin. 

Chiton  muscosus.  Testa  ovalis,  depressa,  scabra,  ad  dorsum 
obtusa,  cinereo  bifasciata  et  plumose  striata  ;  valvis  magnis,  latera- 
liter  disjunctis  ;  areis  lateralibus  parvis,  granulis  subquadratis  radi- 
antibus  arcuatim  tessellatis  ;  areis  centralibus  sulcis  acutis  confertis 
flexuosis  subparallelis  longitudinaliter  aratis  ;  valva  antica  magna, 
semicircular!,  decemcostata  et  granulis  subquadratis  insculpta  ; 
valva  posteriori  parva,  costa  transversal!  inconspicua  subtermi- 
nali  :  margo  latus,  filis  corneis  inequalibus  muscosis  indutus. 
Long.  2,  lat.  l-J-  poll.     Hab.  Puget  Sound. 

Allied  to  C.  brevispinosus,  but  its  sculpture  and  margin  are 
quite  distinct. 

Extracts  from  a  letter  from  Zadock  Thompson  were  read, 
announcing  the  discovery,  in  the  State  of  Vermont,  of  Ti^y- 
onyx  f 67^ ox  and  Cotlus  gobio. 

Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  exhibited  a  drawing  of  Gasterosteus 
hiaculeatus,  made  from  a  specimen  taken  at  Nahant. 

donations  to  the  museum. 
A  jaw  of  Carcharias  obscurus.     From  Dr.  D.  H.  Storer. 

additions  to  the  library. 

Thesaurus  Conch}  liorum.  By  G.  B.  Sowerby.  Nos.  3  to  (5. 
8vo.     London  :   1843  to  1846.     Courtis  Fund. 


146 

Lettre  a  M.  Ph.  Fr.  de  Siebold,  sur  les  Collections  Ethno- 
graphiques,  &c.     8vo  pamph.     Paris,  1845.     From  M.  Jomard. 

Seconde  Note  sur  une  Pierre  Gravee  trouvee  dans  un  ancien 
tumulus  Americain.     8vo  pamph.     Paris,  1845.     From  same. 

Annual  Report  of  the  Regents  of  the  University  of  New  York, 
for  1846.     Albany,  1846.     From  the  Regents. 

Storer,  D.  H.,  M.  D.  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North  Amer- 
ica.    4to.     Boston,  1846.     From  the  Author. 


June  17,  1846. 

C.  T.  Jackson,  M.  D.,  in  the  Chair. 

Mr.  John  E.  Teschemacher  read  a  paper  on  Fossil  vege- 
tation, and  particularly  on  that  of  the  coal  formations  of 
North  America. 

He  applied  to  this  subject  the  discoveries  of  Liebig,  of  Dumas, 
and  Boussingauli,  in  which  the  atmosphere  is  considered  as  the 
connecting  link  between  vegetables  and  animals,  the  former  be- 
ing the  reducing,  the  latter  the  consuming  force,  and  argued  that 
the  existence  of  the  vegetable  as  coal,  proved  the  non-existence 
of  the  consuming  force  or  animals,  and  also  showed  the  proba- 
bility of  a  different  atmosphere  at  that  period. 

He  stated  the  importance  of  collecting  the  fossil  vegetation  of 
this  continent,  and  comparing  it  with  that  of  the  other  continents, 
in  order  to  establish  a  uniformity  of  vegetation,  and  with  it  a  uni- 
formity of  climate  for  its  growth;  connecting  with  this  the  fourth 
law  of  Professor  Pictet,  on  the  distribution  of  animal  fossil  re- 
mains, tending  to  exhibit  a  gradual  decrease  of  the  area  of  this 
uniformity  of  climate  from  the  earliest  organic  existence,  the 
vegetable,  through  the  various  succeeding  epochs  of  animal  life. 

He  touched  on  the  value  of  the  labors  of  Presl  and  J.  Smith, 
of  Kew,  on  recent  ferns,  to  the  student  of  fossil  filices,  and  on 
the  necessity  which  the  result  of  further  discoveries  and  investi- 
gations, would  produce  for  the  amelioration  of  the  present  method 
of  arrangement  of  fossil  vegetation.     He  also  exhibited  drawings 


147 

of  Odontopteris  Brardii,  and  some  probably  new  Odontopterides, 
from  the  black  schist,  Portsmouth,  R.  I.,  and  of  various  other  fos- 
sil vegetation,  from  Mansfield,  Mass.,  and  from  Nova  Scotia,  with 
a  list  of  fossil  vegetables  from  various  American  localities. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  exhibited  specimens  of  Copper  and 
Zinc  Ores,  from  Warren,  N.  H.,  considered  by  him  to  be 
remarkable  in  their  structure  and  appearance. 

The  copper  Pyrites  occurs  intermixed  with  crystallized  Tremo- 
lite,  and  brown  mica,  and  takes  the  form  of  those  minerals,  being 
fibrous  in  the  Tremolite,  and  flattened  into  plates  in  the  mica. 
The  black  blende  exhibits  the  same  structure,  and  the  iron  Py- 
rites is  also  impressed  with  the  form  of  the  fibrous  Tremolite,  also 
crystals  of  an  octahedral  form,  composed  of  yellow  copper  pyrites 
and  black  blende.  He  remarked  that  this  impressibility  of  one 
mineral  by  another,  seemed  something  like  the  influence  of  ex- 
ample as  exhibited  in  another  department  of  science,  and  the 
power  of  numbers  was  evidently  perceptible  in  the  compression 
of  the  more  sparse  ores,  amid  these  congeries  of  Tremolite  crys- 
tals and  micaceous  plates. 

Specimens  of  rich  argentiferous  galena,  from  Warren  and 
Shelburne  were  exhibited,  those  from  the  latter  town  being  asso- 
ciated with  cuperiferous  black  blende,  and  beautiful  crystals  of 
iron  Pyrites.  The  lead  from  these  ores  contains  from  4  to  5^ 
pounds  of  silver  per  ton,  a  sufficient  proportion  to  warrant  its  ex- 
traction by  cupellation.  The  mines  are  about  to  be  wrought  for 
lead  and  silver.  He  exhibited  also  specimens  of  twisted  crystals 
of  rutile  or  red  oxide  of  Titanium,  and  bright  green  crystals  of 
Apatite  or  Phosphate  of  Lime,  from  the  Warren  copper  mine,  the 
latter  being  a  new  mineral  for  that  locality. 

Dr.  Jackson  also  remarked  upon  a  paper  on  the  geology 
of  a  portion  of  the  White  Mountains,  by  Professors  W.  B. 
and  H.  D.  Rogers,  published  in  the  American  Journal  of 
Science,  for  May,  1846. 

He  said  that  it  was  his  intention,  during  his  late  visit  to  New 
Hampshire,  to  have  examined  the  spot,  where,  as  stated  by  those 


148 

gentlemen  in  the  paper  referred  to,  they  had  discovered  fossils  in 
the  masses  of  slate  included  in  the  primary  rocks  of  the  White 
Mountain  range,  but  for  want  of  time  was  obliged  to  defer  it  to 
some  future  occasion.  He  would  merely  remark,  at  present,  that 
he  could  not  agree  with  the  Messrs.  Rogers  in  the  latitude  they 
gave  to  the  metamorphic  theory,  and  thought  he  could  satisfy  any 
geologist  that  the  AVhite  Mountains  were  not  formed  of  melted 
sandstones  and  slates,  for  he  could  point  out  localities  there  where 
numerous  fragments  of  slate  are  included  in  the  granite,  and  are 
not  altered  by  heat  beyond  mere  induration.  He  was  so  im- 
pressed with  this  fact  that  he  had  in  his  Report  endeavored  to 
account  for  it,  by  the  imperfect  conduction  of  heat  in  the  fused 
granitic  rocks. 

The  Messrs.  Rogers  seem  to  have  overlooked  the  statement,  in 
his  Final  Report  on  the  Mineralogy  and  Geology  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, that  numerous  masses  of  the  older  Silurian  strata  occur 
intercalated  in  the  primary  rocks.  If  they  have  discovered  fos- 
sils in  them,  the  fact  would  go  to  confirm  his  original  views  on 
that  subject,  and  it  would  tfe  quite  interesting  to  observe  fossils, 
which,  like  the  fabled  salamanders  had  gone  through  so  fiery  an 
ordeal.  Nevertheless,  to  use  an  expression  of  M.  De  Blainville, 
il  faut  que  le  fait  soit  Hen  constate. 

Dr.  Gould  continued  his  descriptions  of  new  Shells,  col- 
lected by  the  United  States  Exploring  Expedition,  and  be- 
long to  the  genus  Patella. 

Patella  talcosa.  Testa  magna,  solida,  ponderosa,  ovato- 
rotundata,  depressa,  costulis  radiantibus  numerosis  sub-equalibus 
rotundatis  flexuosis  instructa,  vertice  sub-centrali,  colore  satu- 
rate cinnamomea  ;  facies  interna  talcoso-argentata,  purpureo 
tincta  ;  callo  centrali  crasso,  albo,  spatuliformi,  ad  marginem 
radiate  ;  impressione  musculari  lato,  profundo  :  margo  crenulatus. 
Long.  4,  lat.  3i,  alt.  1^  poll.     Hah.  Hawaii,  Sandwich  Islands. 

The  colors  of  the  interior,  in  small  specimens,  are  very  rich, 
and  the  shell  is  of  a  rounded  shield-like  form,  like  P.  testudinaria, 
attaining  sometimes  a  very  large  size,  larger  than  any  other  spe- 
cies except  P.  pyramidata. 

Patella  sagittata.    Testa  tenuis,  translucida,  ovato-rotundata, 


149 

depressa,  fusco-viridis,  nigro  obscure  radiata,  subtilissime  granu- 
loso-striata,  apice  antico,  acuto,  incumbente  ;  margine  integro  : 
facies  interna  argentea,  cuna  reflexionibus  succineis,  et  interdum 
fusco  radiata  ;  fundo  (luce  transmisso)  elegantissime  reticulato, 
et  maculis  sagittalis  radiato.  Long.  H,  lat.  lyV?  alt.  f .  Hah. 
Feejee  Islands. 

This  delicate  and  beautiful  species  is  allied  to  P.  testudinaria, 
but  is  more  depressed  and  more  delicate  in  all  its  characters,  and 
its  peculiar  marking,  as  seen  by  transmitted  light,  like  some  of 
the  Navicellse,  distinguishes  it.  It  was  the  only  species  collected 
at  the  Feejee  Islands. 

Patella  illuminata.  Testa  inequilateralis,  ovato-conica,  fuli- 
ginosa,  maculis  sparsis  flavidis  translucidis  illuminata,  creberrime 
radiatim  costellata  :  apertura  ovata  ;  facies  interna  nigro-picea, 
sericeo  splendcns  ;  fundo  flavido.  Long.  1 J-,  lat.  1^,  alt.  f  poll. 
Hab.  Auckland  Islands. 

In  shape  like  P.  argentea,  with  the  interior  of  P.  tramoserica. 
It  may  be  the  young  of  what  is  figured  by  Quoy  as  P.  granu- 
laris. 

Patella  fimbriata.  Testa  elevata,  oblique  conica,  fusco-pur- 
purea,  cinereo  tincta,  costulis  distantibus  rotundatis  radiata,  costu- 
lis  tuberculos  fornicates  in  seriebus  concentricis  instructos  geren- 
tibus  ;  apice  acuto  subcentrali :  apertura  ovata,  limbo  lato.  nigro 
pectinate:  facies  interna  nitida,  cseruleo-alba,  secundum  costulos 
radiata,  fundo  saturatiori.  Long.  1|,  lat.  ^~,  alt.  /q.  Hah. 
Straits  of  De  Fuca. 

Much  like  a  small  P.  granularis  in  shape.  The  undulations 
within,  corresponding  to  the  ribs,  are  marked  "svith  unusual  dis- 
tinctness. Its  ribbed  surface  and  destitution  of  strice  distinguish 
it  from  all  the  varieties  of  L.  pintadina. 

Patella  citrullus.  Testa  depresso-conica,  sub-equilateralis, 
translucida,  extus  rugoso-undulata,  prope  apicem  lineis  granuli- 
feris  radiata,  pallide  olivacea,  intus  nitida,  plumbea,  fundo  albido  : 
apertura  rotundato-ovata ;  margine  expanse,  acuto.  Long.  1£, 
lat.  1|-,  alt.  I  poll.     Hah.  Funchal,  Madeira. 

This  shell  resembles  somewhat  the  skin  of  a  cucumber,  exter- 
nally. The  radiating  striae  occupy  the  upper  half  of  the  shell, 
and  the  lower  half  is  somewhat  imbricated  by  the  stages  of 
growth.     It  is  somewhat  like  P.  Candei.,  D'Orb. 


150 

Patella  Paumotensis.  Testa  solida,  albido-cinerea,  ovalis, 
depresso-conica,  apice  sub-centrali,  costis  acutis  radiantibus  irre- 
gularibus  ad  40  instructa  :  facies  interna  alba  vel  dilute  incarnata ; 
impressione  musculari  callosa,  alba  vel  citrina  ;  area  central!  fer- 
ruginea  vel  incarnescente  :  margo  costis  dentatus,  spatiis  inter- 
costalibus  fusco  tinctis.  Long.  1|,  lat.  IJ,  alt.  J-  poll.  Feejee's. 
Long.  1|,  lat.  IJ,  alt.  f  poll.  Wilson's  I.  Long.  1^,  lat.  1, 
alt.  f  poll.     Rose  I. 

Allied  to  P.  tramoserica,  but  its  colors  are  generally  dull  and 
dead,  instead  of  silky.  Generally,  eight  or  ten  of  the  ribs  are 
more  prominent  than  the  rest  The  prevailing  color  of  the  in- 
terior is  that  of  ripe  muskmelon.  Sometimes  there  are  dusky 
spots  between  the  ribs.  It  seems  to  be  found  at  all  the  islands  of 
the  Paumotu  group,  and  as  far  as  Taheiti. 

Patella  luctuosa.  Testa  oblique  conica,  crassa,  vertice 
eccentrica,  obscure  olivacea,  interdum  sanguineo  tincta,  costis  ma- 
joribus  ad  12  rotundatis,  scabrosis,  pallidis,  minoribus  quibusdam 
interjectis  :  apertura  ovalis  ;  margine  crenulato  :  facies  interna 
livida,  reflexionibus  succineis  micans  ;  limbo  fasciis  fuscis  et  al- 
bidis  inequalibus  alternantibus  radiate.  Long.  1;^,  lat.  1,  alt.  -J 
poll.     Hab,  New  Zealand. 

Unusually  rough  and  irregular  of  surface,  not  unlike  coarse 
specimens  of  P.  vulgata,  but  the  interior  sometimes  rivals  P.  ira- 
moserica. 

Patella  pipekata.  Testa  sctbrida,  oblique  conico-depressa, 
olivacea,  costato-striata,  costis  majoribus  pallidioribus  cum  lineis 
saturatioribus  interruptis  aspersis,  apice  eccentrica,  acuta  :  aper- 
tura ovata  ;  margine  crenulato  ;  facies  interna  livida,  fundo  ferru- 
gmeo,  radiis  albidis  insigni.  Long.  1|^,  lat.  y^^,  alt.  ^  poll.  Hob. 
Cape  de  Veids  and  Madeira. 

Somewhat  like  what  I  suppose  to  be  P.  scutellaris,  from  the 
Mediterranean,  especially  its  interior,  but  more  elevated  and  less 
elongated. 

Patella  instabilis.  Testa  olivaceo-cervina,  elongata,  ele- 
vata,  ad  latera  compressa,  creberrime  radiatim  striata,  apice  sub- 
centrali,  obtusa,  castanea  :  apertura  oblongo-elliptica ;  margine 
integro  :  facies  interna  lactea.  Long.  1^,  lat.  ^^,  alt.  y^^r  polh 
Hab.  Puget  Sound. 


151 

Resembles  P.  compressa,  but  is  more  smooth  and  solid,  and 
the  apex  more  nearly  central.  It  may  have  derived  its  form 
from  being  attached  to  some  arched  body. 

Patella  cinnamomea.  Testa  parva,  ovalis,  convexa,  tenuis, 
cinnamomea,  cum  striis  radiantibus,  tenuibus,  confertissimis,  im- 
bricato-asperis,  apice  acuto,  antico,  ad  marginem  valde  decli- 
nato  ;  aperturre  margine  anteriori  excurvato,  intus  costa  alba 
marginali  munito.  Long,  j,  lat.  f ,  alt.  5?^  poll.  Hab.  New  South 
Wales. 

Closely  allied  to  P.  Galathea,  Lam.  which,  however,  is  snow- 
white,  more  circular,  the  apex  more  central,  and  the  striae  much 
coarser. 

Patella  conica.  Testa  parva,  conoidea,  elevata,  valde  regu- 
laris,  inornata,  vel  lineolis  obsoletis  radiantibus  et  concentricis 
striata  ;  colore  luteo-cinereo  :  apertura  rotundata,  margine  sim- 
plici,  limbo  marginali  planato.  Long.  j-|-,  lat.  ^,  alt.  f  poll. 
Hah.  Puget  Sound. 

Similar  to  P.  scurra.  Lesson,  but  is  more  elevated,  less  sym- 
metrical, and  more  delicate  in  structure  and  markings,  especially 
in  the  radiating  strisD. 

LoTTiA  PiNTADiNA.  Tcsta  divcrsissime  figurata  et  picta,  tenuis, 
ovato-rotundata,  radiatim  et  confertim  striata,  smaragdina,  inter- 
dum  fuscescens  vel  cinerascens,  maculis  crebris  albidis  tessellata 
aut  radiata  ;  apice  plerumque  sub-centrali,  plus  minusve  elevata  : 
facies  interna  coeruleo-albida,  nitens  ;  fundo  piceo ;  limbo  lato, 
piceo  et  albido  tessellato.  Long.  2,  lat.  If,  alt.  |  poll.  Hah. 
Straits  of  De  Fuca,  Puget  Sound,  and  Mouth  of  Columbia  River. 

This  very  variable  species  is  the  analogue  of  L.  testudinalis  of 
the  North  Atlantic  waters,  though  larger.  Two  well-marked 
varieties  may  be  noted.  One  tessellated  with  about  equal  pro- 
portions of  green  and  whitish,  the  interior  marginal  limb  broad 
and  tessellated,  the  dark  color  predominating.  In  the  other  the 
colors  are  arranged  rather  in  stripes,  the  internal  limb  is  nar- 
rower, and  the  light  color  predominates.  Very  probably  L.  scu- 
tum., Esch.  is  only  another  variety. 

LoTTiA  CYMBioLA.  Testa  solida,  depresso-conica,  arcuata 
(apice  eccentrica)  glauco  et  fusco-olivaceo  radiata,  radiatim  cre- 
berrime  puncto-striata  :  apertura  elliptica,  margine  minutissime 


152 

crenulato  :  facies  interna,  albida,  spadiceo  sordidata  ;  limbo  lato, 
fusco  et  albo  tessellato.  Long,  -fij,  lat.  -^q,  alt.  -^q  poll.  Hab. 
Bay  of  Valparaiso. 

A  small,  rather  smooth  shell,  arched  in  every  direction,  in 
consequence  of  attaching  itself  to  other  shells.  When  fresh  it  is 
very  prettily  radiated. 

Patella  (Lottia  ?)  textilis.  Testa  depressa,  oblique  conica ; 
apice  anteriori,  acuto ;  costis  latis,  elevatis,  subplanulatis,  nodosis 
ad  15  radiantibus  ;  epidermide  viridi,  punctis  albidis  quadratis 
reticulato  :  basi  ovato-rotundato,  limbo  marginali  albido  et  fusco- 
viridi  fimbriate  :  facies  interior  albida ;  fundo  piceo.  Long.  1, 
lat.  I-,  alt.  -f^  poll.     Hah.  Straits  of  De  Fuca  and  Killimook. 

Like  some  varieties  of  P.  viridula ;  but  its  base  is  less  orbicu- 
lar, its  color  is  darker  green,  and  the  reticulations  are  finer  and 
less  in  zigzag ;  the  ribs  are  less  numerous,  nodular,  and  not  paler. 
Its  remote  locality  favors  the  idea  of  its  being  distinct. 

Patella  (Lottia  ?)  scabra.  Testa  parva,  scabra,  per-inequila- 
teralis,  oblique  arcuato-conica,  pallide  virens,  nigro  diversemode 
virgata,  costis  radiantibus  scabrosis  ad  15  ornata  ;  basi  ovata  : 
facies  interna  albida ;  fundo  piceo,  limbo  marginali  viridulo  et 
piceo  fimbriate.  Long.  |,  lat.  f,  ah.  |  poll.  Hob.  San  Fran- 
cisco. 

About  the  same  size,  and  may  be  only  a  variety,  of  P.  textilis. 
Its  arched  form,  rough  surface,  coarse  black  stripes,  and  difierent 
locality,  seem  to  warrant  its  separation. 

Patella  (Lottia.?)  araneosa.  Testa  parva,  tenuis, depresso- 
conica,  sub-equilateralis,  Isevis,  pallide  virescens,  ramulis  rubigi- 
nosis  araneosis  reticulata  :  facies  interna  albida  ;  margine  sim- 
plici,  acuto  ;  limbo  marginali  planulato,  rubiginoso,  radicoso. 
Long,  f ,  lat.  ^,  alt.  ^  poll.     Hah,  Sooloo  Sea. 

A  pretty  little  shell,  most  probably  a  Lottia,  resembling  some 
of  the  species  figured  by  Quoy,  especially  his  orbicularis.  In- 
deed it  is  so  like  the  reticulated  variety  figured  in  PI.  LXXI.  fig. 
33,  that  the  examination  of  a  more  extensive  series  might  show 
them  to  be  identical. 

Rev.  Joseph  Banvard  was  elected  a  member  of  the  So- 
ciety. 


153 


ADDITIONS    TO    THE     LIBRARY. 


Proceedings  of  the  Providence  Franklin  Society,  Vol.  I.  Part  I., 
for  April,  1846.     From  the  Society. 


July  1,  1846. 
A.  A.  Gould  in  the  Chair. 


A  letter  from  George  Ditson,  Esq.  of  Neuvitas,  Cuba,  ac- 
companying a  donation,  was  read. 

Dr.  Gould  described  the  following  new  species  of  Sipho- 
naria,  Emarginula,  and  Fissurella,  from  the  Shells  of  the 
Exploring  Expedition. 

SiPHONARiA  coRNUTA.  Tosta  rudis,  fuliginosa,  valde  depressa, 
per-inequilateralis,  radiatim  striata,  apice  submediano,  costis  ad 
15  inequalibus,  ultra  marginem  prolongatis,  preecipue  costa  supra- 
siphonali  :  cavitas  parva,  minime  profunda,  dextrorsum  effusa  ; 
limbo  marginali  expanso,  albo,  vel  fusco  inter  costas  radiato. 
Long.  1,  lat.  ^^,  alt.  -^  poll.     Hah.  Mangsi  Islands. 

Allied  to  S.  atra,  to  which  it  may  possibly  be  traced  by  its  va- 
rieties;  but  it  is  more  elongated,  less  symmetrical,  and  the  ribs, 
which  are  much  more  numerous  on  the  left  than  on  the  right  side, 
surpass  the  margin  to  a  much  greater  extent. 

SiPHONARiA  INCULTA.  Tosta  parva,  crassa,  irregularis,  de- 
presso-conica,  costulis  20-24  radiata  ;  apice  sub-central i :  cavitas 
profunda,  latere  sinistro  prsecipiti,  latere  dextro  declivi  ;  fundo 
fusco  nubeculato  ;  cicatrice  musculari  profunda  ;  limbo  marginali 
expanso,  sericeo,  hepatico  ;  margine  costulis  dentato.  Long, 
/jj,  lat.  J-^,  alt.  I  poll.     Hah.  New  Zealand. 

A  small,  rugged-looking  species,  easily  distinguished  by  its 
irregular,  one-sided  form,  and  its  liver-brown  interior. 

SiPHONARiA  LATERALIS,  (CouTHOUY  MS.)  Tosta  parva,  fra- 
gilis,  inequilateralis,  perobliqua,  oblongo-ovalis,  olivacea,  sursum 

PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H.  15  AUGUST,  1846. 


154 

fuscescens,  costulis  radiantibus  ad  25  obtusis,  nodosis,  subequali- 
bus  :  intus  hepalica  ;  cicatrice  musculari  inconspicua.  Long.  -|, 
lat.  I,  alt.  -1  poll.     Hab.  Burnt  Island,  Orange  Harbor. 

This  might  be  regarded  as  the  young  of  S.  Lessoni.  But  be- 
sides essential  differences  in  the  animal,  the  great  inequality  of 
the  two  sides,  the  peculiar  position  of  the  apex  and  the  more 
coarse  and  nodular  ribs,  give  it  a  peculiar  character. 

SiPHONARiA  LEPiDA.  Testa  parva,  tenuis,  ovato-rotundata, 
depresso-conica,  cinereo-olivacea  interdum  violaceo  lincta  ;  apice 
submediano,  obtuso  ;  costis  radiantibus  numerosis  depressis,  quo- 
rum ad  12  majoribus,  albicantibus  ;  striis  incrementi  confertis, 
laxis  :  intus  livida,  albido  radiatim  lineata  ;  margine  vixcrenulato, 
pallescente.     Long.  2?^,  lat.  /^j,  alt.  ^^  poll.     Hah.  Rio  Janeiro. 

Allied  to  S.  plicata,  Quoy,  which,  however,  is  described  as 
solid,  its  summit  recurved,  its  ribs  equal,  its  interior  pale  horn 
color,  radiated  with  pairs  of  reddish  lines,  and  is  found  at  Tonga- 
taboo. 

SiPHONARiA  NORMALis.  Tcsta  parva,  tenuis,  symmetrica,  basi 
rotundata,  elevato-conica,  fusco-cinerea,  creberrime  costato-stri- 
ata,  striis  subequalibus  :  subtus  fundo  castaneo,  limbo  marginal! 
mustelino,  cicatrice  bene  impresso ;  margine  acuto,  ad  canalem 
siphonalem  angulato,  albido  lineolato.  Long,  y^,  lat.  ^^j-,  alt.  -^-^ 
poll.     Hab.  Sandwich  Islands. 

A  small,  delicate  species,  very  different  from  any  1  have  seen. 
Its  circular  base,  regular  conical  form,  very  numerous  rib-strise, 
and  peculiar  pale  chocolate  color  distinguish  it. 

Emarginula  aspera.  Testa  parva,  tenuis,  depresso-conica, 
fuliginosa  ;  costis  elevatis  quadratis  plerumque  duplicibus  ad  10 
albidis,  ad  intervallos  striis  crebris  decussantibus  exasperatis  ; 
vertice  subcentrali,  acuto,  recurvo  :  intus  glauca,  albido  radiata ; 
margine  denticulate  :  incisura  angusta,  profunda,  intus  in  cana- 
lem versus  apicem  producta.  Long.  ^^,  lat.  f'^,  alt.  .^^  poll. 
Hab.  Sydney,  New  South  Wales. 

Much  like  E.  rtt.gosa,  Quoy,  in  size  and  form,  but  differs  in 
color,  sculpture,  and  the  larger  size  of  the  notch. 

Emarginula  fungina.  Testa  parva,  solidula,  elliptica,  cine- 
reo-virens  ;  costis  radiantibus,  parvulis,  quarta  quaque  majori, 
roiundatis;  apice  mediani,  erecto  :  intus  viridula,  cicatrice  mus- 


155 

culari  intrinsecus  atri-limbata  ;  margine  smaragdino,  eleganter 
crenulato  :  incisura  lata,  modice  profunda,  intus  in  canalem  ad 
verlicem  producta.     Long.  4,  lat.  |,  alt.  {■  poll.     Hah.  Upolu. 

A  very  pretty  species,  somewhat  resembling  E.  parmophoideay 
Quoy,  but  differs  in  the  dark  coloring  along  the  inner  margin  of 
the  muscular  impression,  forming  the  figure  of  a  toadstool,  and  in 
the  greater  development  of  the  notch. 

Emargixula  ossea.  Testa  crassa,  rudis,  albida,  quadrangulari- 
elliptica,  costis  radiantibus  numerosis  inequalibus  aculis,  et  striis 
increment!  decussata;  basi  arcuato,  margine  crenulato;  cicatrice 
musculari  bene  impressa  :  incisura  baud  profunda,  intus  vix  in 
canalem  producta.  Long,  -j;^,  lat.  2^^,  alt.  -{jj  poll.  Hal.  Feejee 
Islands. 

Allied  to  E.  austraUs,  Quoy,  but  is  much  smaller  and  less 
deeply  checkered. 

Emarginijla  cinerea.  Testa  cinerea,  E.  osseo  similis,  sed 
tenuior,  altior,  magis  disposite  et  delicate  clathrata  :  cicatrice 
musculari  inconspicua  :  incisura  minime  profunda,  in  canalem 
interiorem  valde  insignem  producta.  Lonji.  f ,  lat.  |,  alt.  f  poll. 
Hah. ? 

Similar  to  the  preceding,  but  far  less  solid,  and  much  more 
regularly  and  delicately  cross-barred  ;  and  if  the  size  of  the 
notch,  the  development  of  its  canal,  and  the  depth  of  the  muscu- 
lar impression,  are  important  characters,  they  are  certainly  distinct 
species. 

FissuRELLA  CRATiTiA.  Tcsta  solida,  elevata,  ovalis,  albida, 
radiis  fuscis  ad  16  picta,  lineis  elevatis  radiantibus  et  concentricis 
sub-equalibus  profunde  imbricato-cancellata  :  apice  sub-centrali, 
intus  alba  ;  margine  inequaliter  crenulato  :  foramen  apicalis  sub- 
rotunda.     Long.  2,  lat.  If,  alt.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Puget  Sound. 

It  has  the  general  aspect  of  F.  maxima^  but  is  sculptured  like 
F.  Grceca. 

FissuRELLA  VERNA.  Tcsta  soHda,  striata,  ovalis,  symmetrica, 
depresso-conica,  cinereo-viridescens,  atro-purpureo  rad lata,  costis 
ad  20-30  sub-elevatis,  planis,  interstitiis  adequantibus  ;  vertice 
subcentrali,  purpureo  :  fissura  parva,  ovalis  ;  margine  crenato  : 
intus  alliacea,  fissurse  limbo  radiatim  striate,  purpureo  marginato. 
Long.  If,  lat.  1|,  alt.  ^  poll.  Hab.  Port  Praya,  St.  Jago  Island, 
Cape  de  Verds. 


156 

Much  like  F.  obtusa,  Sowb.,  but  more  elongated,  and  with 
its  ribs,  nnore  numerous  rays  and  faintly  scolloped  margin,  as  well 
as  its  distant  locality,  it  may  be  regarded  as  a  different  species. 
Some  specimens  are  not  rayed,  and  others  are  entirely  dark 
purple. 

FissuRELLA  occiDENS.  Tosta  ovata,  conica,  valde  elevata, 
radiatim  multistriata,  fasciis  atro-purpureis  ad  15  et  fasciis  rosa- 
ceis  alternantibus  radiata,  apice  subcentrali  :  apertura  ovata  : 
facies  interna  nivea,  mjirgine  latiusculo  viridulo  fusco  tessel- 
lato :  fissura  ovali-rotundata.  Long.  lj\,  lat.  lyV?  ^^t.  3-^  poll. 
Hab.  Callao. 

In  sh-ipe  and  color  it  agrees  with  F.  caffra,  Chem.,  from  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope,  and  also  with  F.  Praya,  Quoy.  It  is  re- 
markable for  its  elevated,  conical  form,  and  dark,  radiate  ex- 
terior. 

FissuRELLA  cRuciATA.  Tcsta  parvula,  tenuis,  nitida,  elongato- 
ovata,  arcuatim  elevata,  costulis  radiantibus  prominentibus  ad  30, 
cum  filis  confertis,  ordinatis,  concentricis  decussata  ;  apice  ante- 
riori,  fissura  elongata  ;  coloribus  nigris  et  albis  cruciatim  signata  : 
intus  nitida,  livido  et  albo  similiter  picta  ;  margine  crenulato. 
Long,  f,  lat.  ^,  alt.  |  poll.     Hab.  Sooloo  Sea. 

Similar  to  F.  minuta,  Sowb.,  but  nearly  twice  as  large,  pro- 
portionally broader  and  more  elevated,  and  with  the  sculpture 
more  in  relief;  the  blue  circles  about  the  fissural  callus  are  also 
wanting. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Copper  and  Tin  ores  from  Cuba,  and  Cinnamon  stone  from 
Ceylon.     From  George  Ditson,  Esq.,  of  Cuba. 

Cranium  of  a  Rodent.     From  sa?ne. 

Skins  of  Fyrrhula  raptor .^  Psaris  erythrogeiiys,  Lanius  rubi- 
ginosus,  and  Psittacus  menstruus.     From  Dr.  S.  Cabot.,  Jr. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Milne-Edward  M.  Histoire  Naturelle  des  Crustacees.  3  vols. 
8vo,  plates.     Paris,  1834.     From  the  Courtis  Fund. 

Straus-Durckheim,  Hercule.  Traite  d'Anatomie  Comparee.  2 
vols.  Svo.     Paris,  1843.     Same. 


157 

Sander  Rang.  Manuel  des  Mollusques  et  de  leurs  Coquilles. 
18mo.     Paris,  1829.     Same. 

Gould,  John.  Monograph  of  the  Odontophorinse,  or  Partridges 
of  America.     Part  II.,  folio.     London,  1846.     Same. 

Gray,  George  R.  Genera  of  Birds.  No.  26,  folio.  London, 
1846.     Same. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History,  for  June,  1846.  8vo. 
London.     Same. 

American  Journal  of  Science  and  Art.  New  Series.  8vo. 
No.  4.     New  Haven,  July,  1846.     From  the  Editors. 


July  15,  1846. 

The  President  in  the  Chair. 

Letters  were  read  from  Caleb  G.  Forshey,  Esq.,  of  Vida- 
lia,  La.,  and  John  G.  Norwood,  M.  D.,  of  Madison,  Ind., 
severally  acknowledging  the  notice  of  their  election  as  cor- 
responding members ;  and  from  B.  B.  Brown,  M.  D.,  of  St. 
Louis,  accompanying  a  donation. 

A  letter  from  Professor  Oliver  P.  Hubbard,  of  Dartmouth 
College,  relating  to  a  singular  diseased  affection  of  the 
perch,  Perca  flavescens,  was  read. 

It  appeared  from  information  received  by  Prof.  Hubbard,  that 
about  sixteen  years  since,  this  fish  was  transferred  by  Mr.  M.  C. 
McCiure,  of  Ackworth,  N.  H.,  from  Warren's  Pond,  in  Alstead, 
to  Cold  Pond,  ten  miles  further  north,  in  Ackworth  and  Unity, 
the  last  named  pond  being  at  that  time  destitute  of  this  species. 
Both  ponds  are  at  this  time  well  stocked  with  it,  but  the  perch  of 
Cold  Pond  are  not  edible  by  reason  of  numerous  cartilaginous 
concretions  which  are  diffused  throughout  the  body  of  the  fish, 
while  those  in  Warren's  Pond,  from  which  they  are  derived, 
have  never  exhibited  this  peculiarity.     These  concretions  are 


158 

indicated  by  a  blue  spot,  when  they  are  near  the  surface.  There 
is  an  accumulation  of  them  near  the  base  of  the  tail,  and  they  are 
scattered  more  or  less  through  the  fin  and  tail. 

Prof.  Hubbard  also  remarked  upon  two  instances  of  ex- 
traordinary elongation  and  distortion  of  the  incisor  teeth  of 
the  woodchuck,  which  had  lately  come  under  his  observation. 

In  one  case  the  incisors  are  deflected  to  the  right,  and  pass 
downwards,  backwards  and  upwards,  so  that  the  vertex  of  that  of 
the  right  side  is  in  a  line  with  the  zygoma,  and  rises  above  it, 
while  that  of  the  left  side  has  entered  the  maxillary  bone  of  the 
right  side  a  little  in  advance  of  the  molar  teeth,  and  under  the 
infra-orbital  foramen  which  it  has  displaced  upwards,  and  pene- 
trated to  the  lower  part  of  the  alveolus  of  the  right  incisor,  over- 
lapping its  base  about  one  fourth  of  an  inch.  The  vertex  of  each 
is  somewhat  chisel-shaped,  but  with  the  cutting  edge  on  the  in- 
side. The  left  incisor  only  is  considerably  worn  upon  its  left 
side  near  the  insertion  into  the  jaw,  as  if  by  friction  against  the 
incisor  of  the  lower  jaw.  The  righi  incisor  measures  about  4 
inches  in  length  on  its  curve  ;  diameter  of  the  spiral,  |^  inch  ;  ex- 
tent, 1  circle  and  half  an  inch ;  length  of  alveolar  portion,  1-^^  inch  ; 
vertex,  f  inch,  to  the  right  of  the  median  line  of  the  roof  of  the 
mouth.  The  left  incisor  is  only  f  inch  distant  from  the  same 
line.  The  resemblance  of  the  two  teeth  is  very  great  in  every 
respect,  though  the  left  one,  having  a  long  insertion  at  each  end, 
is  immovable. 

In  the  second  case,  the  lower  jaw  was  wanting,  but  the  teeth 
were  said  by  the  owner  to  "curve  back  by  the  sides  of  the  head, 
like  the  tusks  of  an  elephant."  The  left  upper  incisor  was  broken 
off  near  the  jaw.  That  of  the  right  side  curves  to  the  left  in  a 
circular  spiral  of  f  inch  diameter,  backwards  and  upwards,  and 
penetrates  the  roof  of  the  mouth,  on  the  inside  of  the  first  left 
molar  tooth,  into  the  left  nasal  passage  ;  then  passes  forward, 
downward  and  outward,  crossing  under  and  just  behind  the  left 
incisor,  into  the  mouth  again.  The  same  spiral  is  continued, 
though  in  a  smaller  curve,  and  reaches  almost  to  the  first  left 
molar  again,  making  in  the  whole  extent  almost  two  complete 
circles.     The  tooth  tapers  regularly  from  the  base  upwards,  and 


159 

terminates  in  a  sharp  point,  and  the  upper  part  is  so  worn  on  the 
inside  as  to  be  triangular.  When  the  animal  to  which  this  cra- 
nium belonged  was  taken,  he  was  very  much  emaciated,  and 
moved  with  much  difhculiy. 

In  neither  of  these  cases  was  there  any  appearance  of  disease 
except  that  caused  by  the  distortion  itself. 

The  President  remarked  that  instances  of  distortion  of  the  in- 
cisors among  the  rodent  animals  is  by  no  means  uncommon. 
Many  of  these,  affecting  different  species,  may  be  found  recorded 
in  the  books.  The  incisors  of  the  two  jaws  are  placed  in  oppO' 
sition  to  each  other,  and  by  their  mutual  pressure,  seem  to  re- 
strain each  other's  growth.  When,  by  accident,  either  of  the 
teeth  is  turned  aside  from  its  natural  direction,  the  antago- 
nistic power  is  removed,  the  growth  of  the  tooth  proceeds  without 
restraint,  and  the  animal  is  soon  unable  to  bring  their  points  into 
opposition.  As  these  teeth  are  its  main  instruments  of  procuring 
food,  it  becomes  unable  to  procure  a  full  supply,  and  sooner  or 
later  dies  of  hunger,  often  it  may  be  supposed  in  the  ;nidst  of 
plenty. 

Dr.  Gould  gave  descriptions  of  the  following  new  species  of 
Rinfiula,  Crepidula,  Caiyplra^a,  Hipponix,  and  Pileopsis,  from 
the  collection  of  the  United  States  Exploring  Expedition. 

RiMULA  cucuLLATA.  Tcsta  soUda,  cinerea,  per-inequilateralis, 
costis  ad  40  acutis,  compressis,  majoribus  et  minoribus  alternanti- 
bus  radiata,  et  striis  concentricis  confertis  muricata ;  apice  ele- 
vato,  acuto,  adunco,  prorsum  spectante  :  fissura  lanceolata  :  aper- 
tura  ovata  ;  margine  sulcis  iuequalibus  alternantibus  crenulato  : 
facies  interna  porcellana  ;  fornice  tenui,  simplici,  arcuato.  Long. 
I,  lat.  iV,  alt.  t  poll.     Hab.  Puget  Sound. 

A  large  and  curious  species,  its  very  inequilateral  form  giving 
it  the  aspect  of  a  Hipponix.  It  is  less  elevated  in  proportion  to 
its  base  than  any  other  known  species.  The  ribs  are  very  regu- 
lar, and  sometimes  still  finer  rays  are  found  in  the  interstices. 

RiMULA  GALEATA.  Tcsta  solida,  cinerea,  elevata,  globoso-coni- 
ca,  apice  central!,  acuto,  prorsum  porrecto,  striis  filiformibus  con- 
fertis radiata,  et  striis  minoribus  concentricis  decussata  :  fissura 
brevis,  fusiformis  :  apertura  rotundato-ovalis  ;  margine  expanse, 


160 

acuto,  minutissime  crenulato  ;  fornice  costa  transversal!  antice 
suffulto,  fossam  trigonalem  utroque  latere  formante.  Long.  ^^, 
lat.  ^^jj,  alt.  ^%  poll.     Hab.  Puget  Sound. 

Differs  from  the  preceding  in  shape,  sculpture,  and  in  the  in- 
terior rib,  which  props  the  fornix,  and  forms  two  pits,  which, 
with  the  fissure,  remind  one  of  the  openings  for  the  eyes  and 
nose  in  the  human  skull. 

Two  small  species  of  Eimula  were  found  at  Orange  Harbor, 
one  of  which  is  probably  R.  conica,  D'Orb.,  and  the  other  I  name 
R.  coGNATA,  which  is  similar  to  the  preceding  and  to  R.  Noachina, 
but  more  depressed.  These  were  found  living,  and  will  be  again 
noticed  when  describing  the  animal. 

Crepidula  rostriformis.  Testa  solida,  Ijsevis,  castanea,  ele- 
vata,  recurva,  ad  basim  rotundato-ovalis  ;  apice  postico,  adunco  : 
lamina  interna  parva,  alba,  profunde  sita,  versus  apicem  pene- 
trans ;  margine  arcuatim  sinuato.  Long.  J,  lat.  ^,  alt.  f  poll. 
Hab.  Straits  of  De  Fuca. 

I  am  acquainted  with  no  other  species  where  the  apex  is  so 
elevated  and  so  remote  from  the  margin  of  the  shell.  It  looks 
like  a  very  obtuse-angled  bird's-beak.  The  specimen  examined 
had  numerous  rib-like  folds  on  the  surface,  which  were  probably 
caused  by  its  adhesion  to  some  ribbed  shell. 

Crepidula  lingulata.  Testa  parva,  depressa,  obliqua,  rotun- 
data,  alba,  lineis  numerosis  crebre  divaricantibus  radiata,  epider- 
mide  pallido  induta  ;  apice  acuto,  libero,  prope  marginem  sito  : 
intus  lutescens  ;  septo  linguiformi,  excavato,  ad  medium  carina 
diviso  et  oblique  protruso,  ad  latus  sinistrum  profunde  sinuato. 
Diam.  ^,  alt.  f  poll.     Hab.  Puget  Sound. 

Like  C.  cajjensis,  Quoy.  The  only  specimen  examined  seems 
to  have  been  convex  and  solid  in  its  early  growth,  afterwards 
becoming  flat. 

Crepidula  ndmmaria.  Testa  tenuis,  plana,  circularis,  alba, 
striis  incrementalibus  laxis  insculpta,  epidcrmide  flavo-cornea 
induta  ;  apice  vix  conspicuo,  marginali  :  septum  internum  latius 
quam  longum,  deorsum  fornicatum  ;  margine  flexuoso  :  cavitas 
fere  nulla.     Diam.  ^  poll.     Hab.  Classet. 

This  very  peculiar  shell  is  well  characterized  by  its  perfectly 
flat,  circular  form.  It  probably  grew  within  some  other  shell, 
and  other  specimens  may  be  found  moulded  into  a  different  form. 
It  is  separated  from  C.  lingulata  by  the  form  of  its  septum. 


161 

Calyptrxa  fastigiata.  Testa  parva,  tenuis,  Isevis,  rotun- 
data,  elevato-conica,  concentrice  et  tenuissime  striata,  epider- 
mide  fusescente  induta  ;  spira  anfract.  3  planulatis,  apice  sub- 
mediano,  acuto  :  lamella  interna  spiralis,  striata  marginc  libero  ad 
centrum  duplicato,  baud  appresso,  umbilicum  parvum  cflbrmante. 
Diam.  I,  alt.  |  poll.     Hah.  Puget  Sound. 

In  shape,  size  and  interior,  it  scarcely  differs  from  C.  pihohis, 
D'Orb.,  but  that  shell  is  white,  has  a  rough  surface,  and  is  radi- 
ately  ribbed  about  the  summit.  It  also  resembles  C.  squama^ 
Brod. 

CALYPTRiEA  RADiosA.  Testa  irregularis,  tenuis,  alba,  lucida, 
ad  basim  rotundata,  oblique  globoso-conica,  lineis  acutis  numero- 
sis  elevatis  cum  striis  tenuissimis  intercalariis  radiata ;  apice 
postico,  obtuso  :  lamella  interna  elongata,  semi-volutata,  per- 
oblique  truncata  ;  cornubus  lanceolatis  ;  basi  attenuate.  Diam. 
-|,  alt.  -^-^  poll.     Hab.  Mangsi  Islands. 

Differs  from  C.  equestris,  lithedaphus,  and  other  similar  spe- 
cies, in  having  rather  distant,  regularly-disposed  raised  lines, 
with  intervening  smaller  ones,  instead  of  their  being  all  of  uni- 
form size. 

Calyptr.ea  ciilorina.  Testa  irregularis,  tenuis,  concentrice 
undosa,  lineis  elevatis  acutis  confertis  radiata,  ad  basim  subcir- 
cularis,  oblique  pyramidata,  epidermide  tenui  chlorico  induta  ; 
apice  elevata,  posteriori,  spirali,  cernuo  :  intus  nitida,  porcellana  ; 
margine  evoluto,  acuto  ;  lamina  interiori  semi-cyathiformi,  brevi, 
reflexo,  oblique  truncato.  Long,  i,  lat.  ^^j,  alt.  -^  poll.  Hab. 
Port  Praya,  Cape  de  Verds. 

Allied  to  C.  equestris.  Its  depressed,  orbicular  and  compara- 
tively regular  form,. its  short  cup,  and  its  color,  are  its  character- 
istics. 

IIiPPONix  IMBRICATA.  Tcsta  soHda,  oblique  elevato-conica, 
rubescens,  costulis  acutis  radiantibus  40-50,  et  lamellis  concen- 
tricis  concinne  imbricato-clathrata  ;  apice  submediano  :  apertura 
rotundato-ovata  :  intus  coccinea.  Long,  -j^,  lat.  X^.,  alt.  -rf^  P^^^- 
Hab.  Sandwich  Islands. 

Most  like  H.  pilosa  in  sculpture,  though  the  pattern  is  much 
coarser.  The  apex  is  far  more  central  and  elevated.  The  color 
of  the  interior  is  like  H.  foliacea,  but  more  intense. 

PiLEOPSis    CRYSTALLINA.      Tcsta   parva,  Candida,  crystallina, 


162 

nitidissima,  semiglobosa,  ad  basim  ovata,  sulcis  profundis  creber- 
rimis  radiantibus  acutis  insculpta ;  apice  terminali,  acuto,  vix 
curvato,  submarginali  :  subtus  ad  marginem  antice  acuminata, 
postice  septiformis.  Long.  ^,  lat.  f ,  alt.  ^  poll.  Hab.  Feejee 
Islands. 

The  beautiful  crystalline,  quartz-like  lustre  of  this  shell,  its 
deep,  regular  sulci,  and  its  crepiduloid  base  very  distinctly  mark 
this  species. 

A  communication  from  C.  G.  Forshey,  Esq.,  concerning 
the  appearance  of  the  Locust,  Cicada  septemdecim,  in 
Louisiana,  in  1835,  was  read. 

Mr.  Forshey  gives  in  the  main  an  account  of  the  animal,  very 
similar  to  that  given  by  others.  He  states,  hov/ever,  that  the 
number  of  ova  deposited  in  one  nidus  is  uniformly  sixteen.  The 
insect  appeared  to  prefer  the  oak,  small  twigs  of  which  being 
selected,  the  ovipositor  was  thrust  into  the  medulla  and  killed  it ; 
the  eggs  were  then  deposited,  two  by  two,  symmetrically,  in  the 
ligneous  fibres,  on  each  side  of  the  medulla.  Three  nidi  are 
usually  found  in  the  same  twig.  The  branches  thus  pierced,  all 
die  and  drop  off,  and  the  larvae  pass  from  the  eggs  into  the 
ground. 

The  singing  apparatus  of  the  male  is  described  as  situated  on 
each  side  of  the  base  of  the  abdomen,  where  two  cartilages  or 
lids  cover  two  cells  or  cavities,  bounded  internally  by  delicate 
elastic  tympana  or  timbals  of  triangular  form,  which  are  caused 
to  vibrate  by  a  sudden  muscular  contraction  and  expansion.  The 
sound  is  one  of  sadness,  as  heard  in  the  deep  woods,  according 
well  with  the  superstition  that  the  W  marked  on  their  wings  is  a 
harbinger  of  war.  Some  persons  have  been  so  fanciful  as  to 
find  VV  on  one  wing,  and  by  inversion  M  on  the  other,  which  is 
supposed  to  indicate  war  with  Mexico. 

The  Mississippi  appeared  to  be  a  boundary  to  their  progress  in 
that  neighborhood,  as  none  had  been  noticed  west  of  the  river. 
Neither  had  they  appeared  anywhere  in  the  alluvial  lands,  which 
fact,  the  writer  suggested,  was  probably  owing  to  their  inability 
to  survive  the  long  continued  inundations  to  which  these  lands  are 
occasionally  subjected. 


163 

Mr.  Forshey  forwarded  with  the  preceding  communica- 
tion, a  drawing  of  a  cranium  of  an  unknown  animal,  from 
the  cabinet  of  W.  P.  Mellen,  Esq.,  of  Natchez,  Miss.,  said 
to  have  been  found  in  "  the  great  mound  near  Lelsentoun, 
nine  miles  east  of  Natchez. 

Mr.  Forshey  suggested  that  this  cranium  is  that  of  the  polar 
bear,  and  Prof.  Wyman  remarked,  that  it  certainly  bore  a  con- 
siderable resemblance  to  it,  but  as  the  drawing  presented  only  a 
lateral  view,  it  was  desirable  to  have  a  vertical  drawing  exhibiting 
the  sutures,  and  also  a  view  of  the  base,  before  a  satisfactory 
opinion  could  be  adopted.  The  identity  of  this  cranium  with 
that  of  the  polar  bear  might  have  some  bearing  upon  the  northern 
origin  of  the  races  by  which  the  tumulus  was  raised. 

Prof.  Jeffries  Wyman  exhibited  two  species  of  entozoa, 
from  the  muscles  of  a  rattlesnake.  He  had  not  been  able 
to  ascertain  whether  they  had  been  before  observed,  but 
proposed  to  make  further  investigations  in  relation  to  them. 
They  were  contained  in  a  small  cyst,  and  coiled  up  in  an 
oblong  spiral  form  ;  in  their  general  appearance  resembling 
the  genus  Ascaris. 

DONATIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Several  jaws  of  reptiles,  fishes  and  mollusks.  From  Lieut. 
Charles  Henry  Davis^  U.  S.  Navy,  of  the  coast  survey. 

Cranium  of  the  Manatee  of  Cuba,  (Manatus.)     From  Mr. 
Bartlett,  of  Sagua  la  Grande,  Cuba. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadel- 
phia, Vol.  III.,  Nos.  1,  2,  and  3.  January  to  June,  1846.  From 
the  Society. 

Report  of  the  Joint  Committee  of  the  Library  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  on  the  expediency  of  publishing  additional 
copies  of  the  Scientific  works  of  the  Exploring;  Expedition. 
Washington,  June,  1846.     From  the  Hon.  R.  C.  Winthrop. 


164 


August  5,  1846. 

D.  H.  Storer,  M.  D.,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  John  Bacon,  Jr.  read  notices  of  Polythalamia,  in  the 
sand  of  Sahara  Desert. 

Under  the  microscope  the  sand  is  seen  to  consist  mainly  of 
irregular  quartzose  grains,  of  a  reddish  yellow  color,  and  a  pretty 
uniform  size,  ranging  between  0.01  and  0.03  of  an  inch.  These 
grains  are  more  or  less  rounded  on  the  angles  and  edges.  A 
few  minute  quartz  crystals  are  also  met  with,  presenting  the  usual 
six-sided  prism,  with  pyramidal  terminations,  rounded  in  the  same 
manner.  It  is  easily  understood  how  the  wind  raises  in  clouds 
and  conveys  to  great  distances,  sand  so  fine  as  this. 

Among  the  translucent  particles  of  quartz,  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  rounded,  white,  opake  grains  are  perceived  by  the  unassisted 
eye  —  submitted  to  chemical  tests  these  proved  to  be  calcareous, 
and  under  the  microscope  were  seen  to  be  polythalamia.  They 
were  generally  broken,  worn  and  rounded.  Six  or  seven  spe- 
cies only  could  be  found,  and  of  these  Dr.  Bacon  could  ascertain 
only  two,  Textilaria  glohilosa,  and  Rotalia  globulosa  ;  another 
species,  is  probably  Textilaria  aciculata.  The  cells  of  these 
polythalamia  are  sometimes  filled  with  calcareous  matter,  though 
most  frequently  empty.  Dr.  Bacon  did  not  consider  himself  au- 
thorized to  draw  any  inferences  concerning  the  geological  age  of 
the  sands  of  Sahara,  from  the  presence  of  those  polythalamia,  as 
the  species  detected  are  found  both  in  the  cretaceous  formations, 
and  in  every  age  of  the  tertiary,  and  are  believed  to  exist  in  a 
living  state  in  our  modern  seas. 

Dr.  Bacon  had  also  examined  sand  from  the  desert  of  Arabia, 
described  by  Dr.  Hitchcock,  in  a  memoir  on  the  Geology  of 
Western  Asia,  in  the  Transactions  of  American  Geologists  and 
Naturalists.  It^  general  appearance  is  similar  to  that  of  the 
specimens  from  the  Sahara  desert,  except  that  the  eye  can  de- 
tect no  calcareous  particles  in  it,  the  quartzose  grains  are,  how- 
ever, larger,  average  .06  of  an  inch.  The  specimen  examined 
was  entirely  free  from  Polythalamia. 


165 

Dr.  Gould  described  the  following  new  species  of  Helix, 
from  the  Shells  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

Helix  labiosa.  Testa  depresso-conica,  subtus  convexa,  arcle 
umbilicuta,  luteo-cornea,  pilis  sericeis  quincuncialiter  disposilis 
undique  villosa  :  spira  anfr.  6  convexis,  ultimo  immodice  cres- 
cente  et  pone  labrum  valde  conlracto  :  apertura  angusta,  lunata  ; 
labro  albo,  late  revoluto  ;  fauce  livida.  Lat.  -^'y,  alt.  -^^  poll. 
Hab.  Astoria,  Oregon. 

Closely  allied  to  H.  paUiata,  but  is  smaller,  lacks  the  tooth  on 
the  columella,  which,  with  the  greater  convexity  beneath,  and 
the  rapid  enlargement  of  the  last  whorl  near  the  aperture,  are 
sufficiently  distinctive  characters.  It  seems  to  be  nearly  like  H. 
Columbiana^  Lea,  a  shell  with  which  I  am  not  acquainted. 

Helix  loricata.  Testa  parva,  depressa,  flavo-viridis,  arete 
umbilicata,  squamulis  crescenliformibus  undique  loricata,  subtus 
convexa  :  spira  anfr.  5^  convexiusculis,  arete  volutis,  ultimo  su- 
perne  ad  peripheriam  subangulato :  apertura  contracta,  lunata, 
trilobata,  dente  laterali,  dente  basali,  et  dente  columellari  lamelli- 
formi  ringens  ;  peristomate  albo,  reflexo,  callo  copioso  conjuncto. 
Lat.  \^  alt.  ^^  poll.     Hab.  California. 

Form  much  like  H.  inflecta^  but  smaller,  and  teeth  less  devel- 
oped. Its  peculiar  surface,  resembling  a  scaly  coat  of  mail,  is 
highly  characteristic. 

Helix  devia.  Testa  orbiculato-depressa,  oblique  striata, 
dilute  viridi-cornea,  umbilico  modico  canaliculato  perforata  :  spira 
anfr.  6  convexis,  ultimo  ad  peripheriam  rotundato  :  apertura 
transversa,  oblique  lunata,  ad  anfractum  penultimum  unidentata, 
dente  trigono  ;  labro  albo,  late  reflexo,  ad  basim  horizontali,  um- 
bilicum  aliquanto  ambiente.  Lat.  |,  alt.  /^  poll.  Hab.  Ore- 
gon. 

Much  like  H.  pedesii'is.,  but  more  solid,  and  lacks  the  pecu- 
liar wrinkling  of  the  epidermis.  The  lip  is  more  broadly  re- 
flected, and  the  aperture  toothed.  Placed  by  the  side  of  the 
southern  variety  of  H.  palliafa,  somewhat  blanched,  it  would 
hardly  be  distinguished  except  by  the  umbilicus. 

Helix  gulosa.  Testa  globulosa,  crassa,  rudis,  sub-perfo- 
rata,  obsolete  carinata,  pallide  castanea,  colore  saturatiori  nu- 
bilata,  et   interdum  fasciata  :    spira  anfr.  6  rotundatis,  striatis  ; 


166 

ultimo  amplissimo,  et  obsolete  costato-carinato  ;  sutura  profunda  : 
apertura  magna,  rotundata,  fauce  livida  ;  labro  modice  reflexo, 
albido,  prope  columellam  latiore,  umbilicum  rimatum  tegente. 
Lat.  lyV^  alt.  I,  apart.  |  poll.     Hab.  New  South  Wales. 

Remarkable  for  the  great  altitude  of  its  outer  whorl  and  its 
large  aperture.  It  is  like  H.  Californianus  in  form,  H.  albola- 
hris  in  texture,  and  H.  hadia  in  color. 

Helix  ziczac.  T.  parva,  rotundata,  depressa,  stramineo-albi- 
da,  lineolis  obliquis  fulminantibus  fuscis  picta,  et  laminis  acutis 
confertis  reflexis  pilosis  lyrata  :  subtus  convexa,  umbilico  magno 
scalariformi  perforata  :  spira  anfr.  6  convexis,  angustis  :  apertura 
subcircularis,  ad  basim  subangulata  ;  labro  simplici,  prope  umbili- 
cum reflexo.     Lat.  r%,  alt.  ^  poll.     Hab.  New  Zealand. 

A  very  beautiful  shell,  unlike  any  other  described  except  H. 
dissimilis,  D'Orb.,  which  is  larger,  more  dotted,  and  is  not  noted 
as  hairy.  In  general  form,  striation,  umbilicus,  &c.,  it  is  like  H. 
striata. 

Helix  pedesteis.  Testa  rudis,  depresso-globosa,  late  perfo- 
rata\,  luteo-cornea,  ad  apicem  virens,  striis  incrementalibus  con- 
spicuis  inequalibus,  et  striis  minutissimis  confertis  volventibus 
decussata  :  spira  anfr.  5i  convexiusculis  ;  ultimo  ventricoso,  prope 
aperturam  deflexo  :  apertura  obliqua,  transversa,  rotundato-luna- 
ris  ;  peristomate  reflexo,  albo,  ad  basim  dilatato,  juxta  columellam 
sinuato.     Lat.  |,  alt.  i  poll.     Hah.  New  South  Wales. 

It  has  the  shape  and  aspect  of  H.  zaUta.^  but  is  more  like  H. 
profunda  inferiorly. 

Instead  of  the  usual  sliding  motion  of  the  Helices,  the  mollusk 
of  this  shell  flexes  its  foot  into  about  four  vertical  undulations,  so 
as  to  touch  the  plane  of  motion  at  as  many  points  only ;  and  these 
undulations  pass  from  the  head  towards  the  tail,  as  in  the  motions 
of  a  caterpillar  or  a  millipede. 

Helix  strigosa.  Testa  orbicularis,  depressa,  scabrata,  late 
umbilicata,  cinereo-grisea  vel  fuscescente,  fasciis  linearibus  vol- 
ventibus pallide  fuscis  interdum  subtus  notata  :  spira  anfr.  5  con- 
vexiusculis ;  ultimo  angulato  et  prope  aperturam  deflexo  :  apertura 
circularis;  labro  simplici,  continuo.  Lat.  yj,  alt.  f  poll.  Hab, 
Interior  of  Oregon. 

Of  the  shells  of  this  continent,  it  may  be  compared  with  H. 


167 

alternata  in  form  ;   but  in  its  opaque  and  rugged  aspect,  and  in 
most  of  its  characters,  it  nearly  resembles  H.  alpina  of  Europe. 

Helix  sportella.  Testa  planulata,  fragilis,  nitida,  luteo-cor- 
nea,  subtus  concava,  late  umbilicata,  lineis  incrementi  conspicuis 
et  lineis  volventibus  subtilissimis  confertim  decussata  :  anfr.  ^, 
ultimo  magno  ;  sutura  profunda  :  apertura  rotundata,  infra  suban- 
gulata  ;  labro  acuto,  simplici.  Lat.  ^,  alt.  |-^  poll.  Hah.  Puget 
Sound,  Oregon. 

Much  like  H.  concava,  but  has  a  smaller  umbilicus,  and  larger 
aperture,  and  the  transverse  incisions  of  the  strise  are  sufficiently- 
distinctive. 

Helix  mutata.  T.  orbicularis,  depressa,  tenuis,  cerina,  infra 
rotundata  :  spira  anfr.  4  convexis,  nitidis,  junioribus  glabralis, 
majoribus  supra  crassi-striatis,  subangulatis  ;  sutura  impressa  : 
subtus  glabra,  sulcis  radiantibus  remotis  radiatim  divisa,  umbilico 
modico  perforata ;  apertura  ampla,  lunata,  basi  subangulata ; 
labro  simplici.     Lat.  ^^q,  alt.  ^q.     Hah.  Rio  Janeiro. 

Not  unlike  H.  alliaria,  or  small  specimens  of  H.  cellaria,  in 
general  aspect ;  but  it  is  more  globose  and  coarsely  rib-striate, 
like  H.  Pennsylvanica.     It  may  be  H.  insignis,  D'Orb. 

Helix  lyrata  (Couthguy  MS.).  Testa  minuta,  depressa, 
rufo-cornea,  umbilicata :  spira  anfr.  4  cylindricis,  et  striis  elevatis 
conferlis  lyratis  ;  sutura  canaliculata  :  apertura  circularis  ;  labro 
simplici.     Lat.  -^,  alt.  ^V  poll.     Hah.  Terra  del  Fuego. 

About  the  size  and  color  of  H.  rupestris^  but  more  depressed, 
and  with  a  less  expanded  umbilicus.  It  may  be  H.  costellata, 
D'Orb. 

A  paper  was  connmunicated  by  Prof.  James  Hall,  on  the 
geological  relations  of  the  fossil  cranium  mentioned  on  a 
preceding  page,  and  called  Castoroides  Ohioensis. 

The  cranium  was  received  from  Rev.  Benjamin  Hall,  D.  D., 
President  of  Geneva  College,  and  was  discovered  in  a  swamp 
on  the  farm  of  Gen.  W.  H.  Adams,  of  Clyde.  The  situation  in 
which  it  was  found  is  an  elevated  plateau  or  level  tract  of  land,  a 
portion  only  of  which  would  be  denominated  a  swamp,  though 
the  whole  surface  is  covered  with  a  peaty  soil  which  supports  a 


168 

heavy  growth  of  elm,  hemlock  and  ash,  with  some  maple  and 
beech.  This  elevated  ground  is  the  summit  level,  from  which 
the  waters  flow  in  opposite  directions,  into  Lake  Ontario  on  the 
north,  and  into  the  Clyde  river,  and  thence  into  the  Cayuga  and 
Seneca  lake  outlets  on  the  south.  The  country  probably  then 
formed  an  estuary  through  which  water  flowed  into  Lake  Onta- 
rio, which  was  then  probably  at  an  elevation  of  150-200  feet 
higher  than  at  present. 

A  section  at  this  place,  and  at  numerous  others  near  the  same 
spot,  presents  the  following  characters  : 

1.  Muck,  or  vegetable  soil,  supporting  a  heavy  growth  of  tim- 
ber, two  feet  or  more  in  thickness. 

2.  Fine  sand,  with  occasional  thin  bands  of  clay,  often  consist- 
ing of  alternating  layers  of  sand,  twigs,  leaves  and  other  frag- 
ments of  vegetable  matter,  and  much  blackened  thereby ;  two  to 
three  feet  thick. 

3.  Muck,  or  peaty  soil,  composed  of  decayed  fragments  of 
wood,  bark,  leaves,  &c.,  enclosing  trunks  of  trees  of  large  size, 
about  four  feet  thick. 

Skull  of  Castoeoides   Ohioensis. 

4.  Fine  sand,  with  shells  of  Planorbis,  Valvata,  Cyclas,  &c., 
one  to  two  or  three  feet  thick. 

5.  Ancient  drift,  with  northern  bowlders  and  fragments  of  the 
sandstones  and  limestones,  which  occur  in  place  a  few  miles  far- 
ther north  —  depth  unknown. 

The  thickness  of  2,  3,  and  4,  is  variable,  though  the  bottom  of 
No.  3  usually  varies  little  from  the  depth  of  eight  feet  from  the 
surface.  A  glance  at  the  section  reveals  the  true  period  of  the 
deposit,  showing  conclusively  that  the  whole  is  a  lacustrine  form- 
ation, made  subsequent  to  the  deposition  of  the  ancient  drift, 
(No.  5,)  which  is  characterized  by  its  foreign  materials,  while  in 
the  later  deposit  not  a  pebble  of  the  size  of  a  pea  can  be  found. 

The  fossil  is  doubtless  of  the  same  age  as  the  remains  of  the 
mastodon.  These  are  all  found  in  situations  showing  that  this 
period  was  subsequent  to  that  when  the  earth  has  undergone  any 
great  change. 

Its  geographical  distribution  must  have  been  extensive,  as  it 
has  been  found  in  Ohio,  and  lately  at  Natchez. 


169 

Robert  W.  Gibbes,  M.  D.,  of  Columbia,  S.  C,  was  elected 
a  corresponding  member  of  the  Society. 

Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr.,  M.  D.,  was  elected  an  ordinary 
member. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Abhandlungen  der  Mathem-Physikalischen  Classe  der  Kceni- 
glich  Bayerischen  Akademie  der  Wissenchaften.  3  vols.  4to. 
Miinchen,  1837-1845.     From  the  Royal  Bavarian  Academy. 

Gelehrte  Anzeigen.     4  vols.  4to.     jMi'inchen,  1843  and   1844. 

Bulletin  der  Koenig.  Acad,  der  Wissenchaften,  for  1845,  and 
Nos.  1  to  5,  for  1846.     From  the  same. 

Vergleichende  Betrachtungen  Ober  die  Mannigfaltigkeit  in  der 
organischen  und  unorganischen  Natur,  von  Dr.  Franz  von  Kobell. 
4to  pamph.     Miinchen,  1836.     From  the  same. 

Akademischen  Ahxianack  auf  das  jahr  1845.  12mo  pamph. 
Munchen.     From  the  same. 

Uber  Vergiftungen,  nebst  einigen  Versuchen  an  Thieren,  von 
Dr.   Ignaz    Rudolph   Bischoff.       12mo    pamph.      Wien,   1844. 

Zuccarini,  J.  G.  Ueber  die  Vegetationsgruppen  in  Bayern. 
4to  pamph.     Munchen,  1833. 

Dollinger,  I.  Gedachtnissrede  auf  Samuel  Thomas  von  Som- 
mering.     4to  pamph.     Munchen,  1830. 

Schafhautl,  Karl.  Die  Geologie  in  ihrem  Verhaltnisse  zu  den 
iibrigen  Naturwissenchaften.     4to  pamph.     Munchen,  1843. 

Wagner,  A.  Andeutungen  zur  Characteristik  des  organischen 
Lebens  nach  seinem  Auftreten  in  den  verscheidenen  Erdperioden. 
4to  pamph.     Munchen,  1845. 

Von  Martins,  C.  F.  P.  Die  KartofTel-Epidemie  der  letzten 
Jahre.     4to  pamph.     Munchen,  1842. 

Rede  zum  Andenken  an  Ignaz '  Dollinger.  von  Dr.  Ph.  Fr. 
von  Walther.     4to  pamph.     Munchen,  1844.    From  the  same. 

Uber  das  Magnetische  Observatorium  der  KcEnigl.  Sternvvarte 
bei  Munchen.  Von  Dr.  J.  Lament.    4to  pamph.     Munchen,  1841. 

Systema  Materia3  Medicce  Vegetabilis  Brasiliensis.  Composuit 
C.  F.  P.  De  Martius.     8vo  pamph.     Lipsioe,  1843. 

Reise  in  Brasilien  auf  Befehl  Sr.  Majestat  Maximilian  Joseph  I. 
Von  Dr.  J.  B.  von  Spix  und  Dr.  C.  F.  P.  Von  Martius.  3  vols. 
4to.     Miinchen,  1823-31.     From  Dr.  Von  Martius. 

History  of  British  Fossil  Mammals  and  Birds.  By  Richard 
Owen.     8vo.     London,  1844.     Audubon  Fund. 

PROCEEDINGS    B.    S.    N.    H.  16  SEPTEMBER,  1846. 


170 

August  19,  1846. 

C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  observed  that  a  recent  visit  to  ]\Iartha*s 
Vineyard  had  enabled  him  to  collect  numerous  ichthyologi- 
cal  facts  of  considerable  interest. 

In  his  Report  on  the  Fishes  of  Massachusetts,  he  had  stated,  upon 
the  authority  of  Dr.  Yale,  that  a  sting-ray  was  common  at  Holmes 
Hole.  He  had  now  had  the  opportunity  of  seeing  both  a  male 
and  a  female  specimen,  and  ascertained  it  to  be  Trygon  hastata. 

Previous  to  his  visit  to  Martha's  Vineyard,  he  had  not  known 
that  Torpedo  occidentalis  occurred  on  the  coast  of  Massachusetts, 
except  on  the  inner  or  bay  side  of  Cape  Cod,  from  Provincetown 
to  Wellfleet,  but  while  at  Chilmark  he  had  learned  that  it  was 
taken  every  year  at  that  place,  as  many  as  fifteen  or  twenty  indi- 
viduals being  captured  in  the  spring  months,  in  seines  and  by 
hook  and  line. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  read  the  results  of  a  chemical  analysis 
of  Sand  from  the  desert  of  Sahara,  taken  from  specimens  in 
the  Society's  cabinet,  viz. : 

Organic  matter  and  water,     ....  2.30 

Insoluble  silicious  matter,            .         .         .  91.30 

Perox.  Iron  and  alumina,        ....  2.68 

Carbonate  of  Lime,            ....  3. 70 


99.98 
The  Insoluble  silicious  matter  attacked  by  fusion  with  Carbo- 
nate of  soda,  and  analyzed,  yielded 

Silex, 84.7 

Alumina  and  Perox.  Iron,  .         .         .  3.0 

Dr.  Gould  continued  his  descriptions  of  new  Shells,  col- 
lected by  tlie  United  States  Exploring  Expedition,  and  be- 
longing to  the  genus  Helix. 


171 

Helix  pusillus.  Testa  minuta,  tenuis,  depressa  ;  supra  ob- 
lique striata,  albido-virens  ;  infra  viridior,  sub-polita,  perforata  : 
spira  anfr.  4  sub-planulatis  ;  sutura  profunda  :  apertura  circu- 
laris  ;  labro  simplici.  Long,  /j,  lat.  ^^j  poll.  Hnb.  Mountains 
of  Maui,  Sandwich  Islands. 

Scarcely  to  be  distinguished  from  H.  electrina^  Gould,  in  size 
and  form,  but  it  is  more  coarsely  striated.  It  is  also  like  H.  spi- 
rillus^  but  has  a  much  smaller  umbilicus. 

Helix  saxatilis  (Couthouy  MS).  Testa  parva,  sub-globosa, 
lucida,  virldis,  infra  convexa,  umbilico  modico  perforata,  leviter 
striata  :  spira  anfr.  vix  4  cylindricis,  cito  crescentibus  ;  sutura  ca- 
naliculata :  apertura  sub-orbicularis,  ampla  ;  labro  simplici,  fere 
continuo.     Alt.  y'^,  lat.  J  poll.     Hah.  Terra  del  Fuego. 

Resembles,  in  general,  H.  lucida^  and  is  remarkable  for  its 
globular  form  and  fresh  green  color. 

Helix  ex.equata.  T.  parva,  discoidea,  tenuis,  lucida,  gla- 
brata,  succineo-cornea,  ad  peripheriam  rotundata,  infra  sub-plana, 
in  foveam  centralem  devexa  :  spira  anfr.  7  arete  volutis,  supra 
planulatis,  sutura  marginata  bene  impressa  discrelis,  spiram  pla- 
nam  efformantibus  :  apertura  angusta,  transversa  ;  labro  simplici, 
portione  sinistra  fere  horizontali,  recedente,  subreflexa.  Lat.  /q, 
alt.  ^%.     Hah.  Kauai,  Sandwich  Islands. 

A  very  beautiful  and  polished  symmetrical  shell  ;  beneath  like 
H.  interna  and  indenlata. 

Helix  cicercula.  T.  depresso-globosa,  tenuis,  sub-opaca,  im- 
perforata,  albido-virescens,  striis  incrementi  conspicuis  et  striis 
volventibus  sparsis  insculpta :  infra  rotundata,  fovea  centrali 
modica  :  spira  anfr.  5  convexis,  ultimo  angulato  :  apertura  lu- 
nata  ;  labro  simplici;  columella  superne  vix  reflexa.  Lai.  |-, 
alt.  -^^  poll.     Hah.  Mountains  of  Hawaii. 

Distinguished  from  the  other  small  subglobular  shells  here 
mentioned  by  its  pea-green  color  and  more  globular  shape,  both 
above  and  beneath,  its  deeper  umbilical  pit,  and  by  having  no 
semblance  of  contortion  of  the  colun)ella. 

Helix  CRyPTOPORTiCA.  Testa  parva,  orbiculari-depressa,  ad 
apicem  acuta,  tenuis,  pellucida,  nitida,  luteo-viresccns,  leviter 
striata  :  infra  rotundata,  imperforata,  fovea  parva  centrali  :  spira 
anfr.  5J  convexiusculis,  ultimo  carinato ;  sutura  impressa,  mar- 


172 

ginata  :  apertura  lunata,  labro  simplici ;  columella  superne  valde 
intorta,  sinum  an2;ustum  centralem  formante. 

Very  similar  to  H.  suhrutila,  Mighels,  but  is  distinguished  from 
it  by  the  want  of  revolving  strise,  and  by  the  manner  in  which 
the  columella  joins  the  whorl  above. 

Helix  cultrata.  T.  parva,  orbicularis,  depressa,  glaber- 
rima,  lucida,  fusco-viridis,  infra  rotundata,  in  foveam  umbilica- 
lem  devexa,  imperforata  :  spira  anfr.  5  convexis,  ultimo  superne 
carinato  ;  apice  obtuso  ;  sutura  marginata  :  apertura  angusta,  lu- 
nata, labro  simplici ;  columella  obliqua,  callosa,  alba,  planulata, 
inflexa,  inferne  dentem  simulante.  Lat.  :^-^,  alt.  yV  po^l*  Hah. 
Taheiti  and  Eimeo. 

A  beautiful,  smooth,  lenticular,  dark-green  shell,  not  unlike  H. 
interna,  Say,  distinguished  by  its  curious  broad,  white,  inflected, 
columellar  lip. 

Helix  pertenuis.  Testa  minuta,  subglobosa,  pellucida,  nitidis- 
sima,  viridi-aurea,  imperforata  :  spira  depressa,  anfr.  4}  con- 
vexis, ultimo  amplo,  ad  peripheriam  angulato,  infra  sulcis  remotis 
radiato  :  apertura  ampla,  lunata  ;  labro  simplici.  Lat.  |,  alt.  yV 
poll.     Hah.  Aurora  Island. 

A  small  Matea,  or  very  pellucid  shell,  somewhat  like  H.  elec- 
trina  and  lucida,  but  more  globular.. 

Helix  gradata.  Testa  parva,  planorboidea,  tenuis,  nitida, 
rufo-viridis,  luteo  radiatim  variegata,  supra  depressa,  infra  aceta- 
buliformis  :  spira  anfr.  5  convexis,  intra  umbilicum  angulatis, 
oblique  et  confertim  striatis  et  cum  striis  interruptis  volventibus 
decussatis  ;  ultimo  subangulato,  versus  aperturam  deflexo  ;  sutura 
canaliculata  :  apertura  obliqua,  subcircularis  ;  labro  acuto,  ad  um- 
bilicum reflexo.     Lat.  -J,  alt.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Tongataboo. 

Shape  and  size  of  H.  strialella,  Anthony,  but  has  the  umbili- 
cus broader,  deeper,  and  more  shelving. 

Helix  fornicata.  Testa  parva,  planorboidea,  tenuis,  dilute 
rufa,  supra  convexiuscula,  infra  concava,  oblique  ordinatim  et 
confertim  costato-striata  :  spira  anfr.  4  convexis  ;  ultimo  ad  peri- 
pheriam rotundato  ;  sutura  profunda  :  apertura  transversa,  rotun- 
dato-elliptica.  Lat.  I,  alt.  yV  P^H.  Hah.  Kauai,  Sandwich  Is- 
lands. 

A  small,  dome-shaped  shell,  marked  like  H.  striatella,  but 
more  like  H.  indentata,  in  the  form  of  the  spire. 


173 

Helix  rubiginosa.  T.  orbicularis,  depressa,  ferrugineo-cornea, 
fusco  tessellata,  oblique  costato-striata,  late  umbilicata;  spira  anfr. 
6  arete  volutis  ;  sutura  impressa  :  apertura  subrecta,  lunata  ; 
labro  simplici ;  lamella  unica  secundum  anfractum  penultimum 
volvente.     Lat.  -Ju,  alt.  ■:^\  poll.     Hah.  Kauai,  Sandwich  Islands. 

Larger  than  the  other  checkered  shells  of  this  group  ;  like  H. 
striatella^  Anthony,  in  form,  size  and  sculpture,  or  like  H.  radi- 
ata.  Mull.,  as  to  coloring.   ■ 

Helix  DiEDALEA.  Testa  parva,  discoidea,  rubro-castanea, 
fusco  tessellata,  costellis  radiantibus  acutis  confertis  scabra,  sub- 
tus  acetabuliformis  :  spira  anfr.  ad  6  arete  volutis,  duplo  altiori- 
bus  quam  latis,  ad  peripheriam  rotundatis,  infra  baud  planulatis  : 
sutura  impressa  :  apertura  angusta,  verticalis,  lunata ;  fauee 
lamellis  9  volventibus  instrueta,  quorum  4  ad  anfractum  penulti- 
mum, uno  ad  columellam,  2  ad  basim,  3  ad  labium  dispositis. 
Alt.  ^V?  ^at.  yV  po^l-     Hah.  Matea  Islands. 

Size  and  color  of  H.  contorla^  Fer. ;  but  the  whorls  are  more 
numerous  and  compact,  and  there  are  twice  as  many  lamellae  on 
the  penult  w^horl.  The  umbilicus  is  similar  in  form  to  that  of  the 
young  H.  hursatella,  only  the  whorls  remain  rounded  instead  of 
being  flattened. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Gray,  G.  R.     Genera  of  Birds.     4to,  No.  28.     By  purchase. 

Audubon  and  Bachman.  Quadrupeds  of  North  America. 
Folio,  plates,  86  to  90.     From  Suhscribers. 

Geological  Report  on  the  Mineral  Lands  of  the  United  States. 
8vo.  Printed  by  order  of  Congress.  From  Hon.  R.  C.  Win- 
throp. 

Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadel- 
phia.    No.  2  and  3,  Vol.  III.     From  the  Society. 

American  Quarterly  Journal  of  Agriculture  and  Science,  ed- 
ited by  Prof.  Emmons.     No.  IL     From  the  Editors. 

Remarks  on  fossil  footmarks  and  icemarks,  in  the  sandstone 
of  Middletown,  Conn.  By  Joseph  Barratt,  M.  D.  (Newspaper 
sheet.)     From  the  Author. 

Annales  des  Sciences  Physiques  et  Naturelles  d'Agriculture 
et  d'lndustrie,  publiees  par  la  Societe  Royale  d'Agriculture, 
d'Histoire  Naturelle,  et  Arts  Utiles  de  Lyons.  8  vols,  royal  8vo. 
1838  to  1845. 


174 


September  2,  1846. 

T.  Bulfinch,  Esq.  in  the  Chair. 

In  consequence  of  the  absence  of  several  members  at- 
tending the  meeting  of  the  Association  of  American  Geolo- 
gists and  Naturalists  in  New  York,  no  business  was  trans- 
acted. 


September  16,  1846. 

Mr.  Thomas  T.  Bouve  in  the  Chair. 

A  communication  was  read  from  Dr.  William  Wood,  of 
Portland,  Me.,  containing  a  description  of  a  species  of  Shark 
supposed  by  him  to  be  hitherto  undescribed. 

The  specimen  was  taken  about  eighty  miles  east  of  Portland 
to  which  place  it  was  brought.     It  was  skinned  and  stuffed  with 
out  any  accurate  drawing  or  measurements  having  been  taken 
and  was  not  seen  by  Dr.  W.  until  several  days  after  its  prepara 
lion.     Dr.  Wood  having  found  it  difficult  to  place  the  species  un 
der  any  recognized  genus,  proposes  to  establish  a  new  genus  for 
its  reception.     It  approaches  nearest  the  genus  Scymnus,  of  Cu- 
vier,  but  differs  widely  from  it  in  the  characters  of  the  teeth,  and 
in  the  absence  of  the  temporal  orifice.    The  principal  distinctions 
are  that  the  teeth  in  the   present   genus  are  quadrilateral  in  the 
upper,  and  not  crooked  in  either  jaw,  are  lancet-shaped  in  the 
lower,  and  not  divergent  from  the  centre,  and  differ  from  every 
species  in  being  smooth  in  both  jaws.     Dr.  Wood   proposes  for 
the  new  genus  the  name  of  Leiodon} 

Leiodon  echinatum.  Head  prominent,  muzzle  blunt,  body 
subtriangular  to  posterior  line  of  first  dorsal.  Skin  densely 
covered  with  conical,  curved,  long  points  or  spines.  A  lateral 
line  of  oblique  dark  spots,  running  the  whole  length  of  the  body. 
Color  of    pecies,  lilac.     Length,  16  feet. 

>  JE102    OJOY2. 


175 

Dr.  Gould  continued  his  descriptions  of  the  species  Helix, 
from  the  Shells  of  the  United  States  Exploring  Expedition. 

Helix  obolus.  T.  parva,  discoidea,  deorsum  comprcssa,  su- 
pra planulala,  infra  concava,  radiatim  minulissimo  et  inequaliter 
siriata,  fusco-ferruginea,  piceo  tessellala  :  spira  anfr.  5^  supra 
excavalis,  ultimo  supcrne  costato-carinato  :  apertura  sub-rhom- 
boidea  ;  fauce  lamella  unica  secundum  anfractum  pcnuUimum 
volvente.     Lat.  -i,  alt.  -r^^  poll.     Hah.  Taheiti. 

A  most  singular  discoidal  shell,  resembling  Planorhis  vortex. 

Helix  bursatella.  Testa  parva,  per-variabilis,  rotundata, 
conica  vel  planulata,  supra  maculis  fuscis  et  albidis  alternanti- 
bus  flexuosis,  tessellata,  infra,  cinereo-albida  vel  flammulis  fuscis 
flexuosis  radiata,  costis  numcrosissimis  acutis  radianlibus  lyrata  : 
subtus  convexiuscula,  interdum  simplex,  interdum  concentrice 
striata,  nunc  radiatim  costellata,  nunc  albida,  nunc  fusco  flammu- 
lata  :  spira  anfr.  ad  8  externe  excavatis,  ultimo  carinato  ;  sutura 
impressa,  plerumque  marginata  :  apertura  parva,  transversa ; 
fauce  cum  lamellis  7  volventibus,  quorum  2  superiores,  1  colum- 
ellaris,  4  remotis  (1  supra,  3  infra  carinam)  ad  labium  ;  labro 
simplici ;  umbilico  cavernoso,  in  junioribus  acctabuliformi,  in 
majoribus  ad  januam  parvo,  constricto,  margine  acuto,  una  cum 
labio  continue.     Hah.  Taheiti  and  Eimeo. 

The  above  characters  are  found  combined  in  every  possible 
manner.  The  variations  in  size,  color,  solidity,  and  umbilicus, 
may  all  be  reasonably  ascribed  to  differences  in  age,  food,  and  per- 
haps to  the  elevation,  between  2000  and  5000  feet,  at  whicli  they 
were  collected.  The  armature  of  the  mouth  and  the  peculiar 
umbilicus,  at  first  broad,  and  at  maturity  contracted,  or  pursed 
up,  so  that  the  flattened  edges  of  the  whorls  form  a  large  spheri- 
cal cavity,  are  the  characteristic  marks.  Two  principal  varieties 
may  be  noticed. 

«.  Large,  elevated,  conical  specimens,  which  are  without  mot- 
tling, rib-like  stricC,  or  revolving  lines  beneath.  Lat.  ^^q-,  alt.  fj^ 
poll. 

§.  Smaller,  depressed  specimens,  more  or  less  coarsely  ribbed, 
striated  and  mottled,  both  above  and  beneath.  Lat.  -^,  alt.  ^^ 
poll. 

Helix  tumulus.  Testa  parva,  solida,  flavida,  orbiculato-pyra- 
midata,  basi    sub-planu!ata,   umbilico    modico    perforata  :    spira 


J76 

elevata,  conico-rotimdata  ;  anfr.  6-7  convexiusculis,  striis  perob- 
liquis  exaratis,  ultimo  obtuse  ad  peripheriam  angulato,  prope 
aperturam  compresso  :  apertura  parva,  transversa,  lunata  ;  pe- 
ristomate  simplici.  Long,  f,  alt.  /^  poll.  Hah.  Feejee  Is- 
lands. 

This  bears  a  general  resemblance  to  H.  pyramidata ;  but  with 
the  same  diameter,  it  is  less  elevated,  and  more  rounded  at 
apex. 

Helix  tentoriolui^i.  Testa  parva,  elevata,  trochiformis,  ad 
apicem  rotundata,  pallide  virescens,  oblique  et  concinne  striata, 
basi  in  umbilicum  mediocrem  devexa  :  spira  anfr.  6  planulatis, 
et  carina  acutissima,  alba,  cinctis  :  apertura  subtriangularis,  basi 
rotundata  ;  labro  simplici,  ante  umbilicum  reflexo.  Lat.  f ,  alt. 
y^Q  poll.     Hah.  Upolu. 

Its  elevated  form  and  rounded  summit,  resembling  a  nipple,  is 
very  remarkable. 

Helix  (caracolla)  troilus.  Testa  variabilis,  depresso-conica, 
sub-discoidea,  leviter  et  obtuse  striata,  flavescens,  subtus  convexa, 
in  umbilicum  amplum  incurvata,  carinata  ;  carina  utroque  linea 
spirali  castanea  marginata  :  interdum  coloribus  inversis  :  spira 
anfr.  5^-  rotundatis  :  apertura  semilunaris,  superne  angulata ; 
labro  acuto.     Lat.  f ,  alt.  -^jj  poll.     Hah.  Samoa  Islands. 

Is  somewhat  like  H.  explanata,  Quoy,  but  much  smaller  and 
more  umbilicated,  and  differently  colored.  Not  unlike  H.  alpina 
in  form.  Some  specimens  are  much  elevated  ;  others  have  the 
chestnut  color  with  a  yellow  line  ;  and  one  has  the  two  bands 
coalescing  and  covering  the  whole  periphery. 

Helix  cressida.  Testa  variabilis,  solida,  depressa,  lenticu- 
laris,  acute  carinata,  nitida,  dense  et  acute  striata,  coloribus  flavo- 
viridibus  et  castaneis  coalescentibus  fasciata,  infra  sub-planulata, 
umbilico  magno  et  profundo  perforata  :  spira  anfr.  5  vix  con- 
vexis  :  apertura  triangularis  ;  labro  acuto  ;  fauce  lilacina.  Lat. 
■/o-,  alt.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Samoa  and  Taheiti. 

In  some  respects  similar  to  H.  Troilus,  but  more  lenticular, 
flatter  beneath,  the  colors  are  differently  disposed,  and  the  surface 
sculptured  with  more  numerous  and  much  sharper  lines.  The 
animal  is  also  different  in  coloring.  Shape  very  much  like  H. 
acies,  Fer.  but  flatter  beneath  and  smaller. 


177 

October  21,  1846. 
Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  in  the  Chair. 

The  Chairman  read  a  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  the 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  communicating  a  vote, 
that  a  collection  of  Plants  belonging  to  that  Society  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  on  certain 
conditions.  It  was  voted,  that  the  Curator  of  Botany  be 
requested  to  confer  with  the  officers  of  the  Massachusetts 
Historical  Society,  to  receive  the  plants,  and  give  the  requi- 
site receipts. 

Dr.  Gould  communicated  the  following  descriptions  of 
the  Shells  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

Helix  eurydice.  Testa  tenuis,  depresso-pyramidata,  acutis- 
sime  carinata,  pallide  virens,  linea  castanea  volvente  supra  et 
infra  picta,  subtus  planulata,  umbilico  lato  et  profundo  perforata  : 
spira  anfr.  5-6  vix  convexis,  apice  rotundato  :  apertura  trans- 
versa, acute  triangularis  ;  labro  acuto.  Lat.  J-f,  alt.  H-  poll. 
Hah.  Tongataboo. 

Approaches  H.  Cressida,  but  is  much  thinner,  nearly  trans- 
parent, of  a  much  smoother  texture  at  surface,  flatter  beneath, 
and  the  coloring  seems  to  be  very  uniform.  The  color  of  the 
animal  is  also  different.  Its  shape  is  almost  precisely  that  of 
H.  elegans,  though  much  larger.  It  is  also  like  H.  planorboides, 
Lesson,  (H.  solarium,  Quoy),  which  is  very  much  smaller  and 
destitute  of  fillets. 

Helix  subtilissima.  T.  minuta,  fragilissima,  nitidissima, 
lenticularis,  plano-convexa,  imperforata  :  spira  planulata,  anfr.  5 

planis,  arete  volutis  ;  ultimo  acutissime  carinato  :  apertura 

(fracta).     Lat.  |^,  alt.  -j^^  poll.     Hab.  Maui,  Sandwich  Islands. 

This  little  pellucid  shell,  though  imperfect,  is  so  well  marked 
by  its  compressed  lenticular  form,  sharp  carination  and  numerous 
whorls,  that  I  venture  to  pronounce  it  a  new  species. 

proceedings  B.  S.  N.  H.  17  NOVEMBER,  1S46. 


178 

Helix  (Nanina)  scorpio.  Testa  rotundata,  depressa,  rubro- 
castanea,  fasciis  radiantibus  atro-purpureis  tessellata,  subtus  baud 
convexa  :  spira  depressa,  anfr.  4^  convexis.  Lat.  |,  alt.  f  poll. 
Hah.  Feejee  Islands. 

The  above  characters  were  drawn  from  the  figure  of  a  shell 
which  looks  somewhat  like  Cyclosioma  tigrinum.  Its  inhabitant  is 
most  peculiar  ;  having,  besides  the  usual  anal  lappet  of  Nanina 
covering  the  mucus  pore,  six  other  smaller  ones  between  this  and 
the  shell,  arranged  in  a  double  series  along  the  back. 

Helix  (Nanina)  euida.  Testa  fragilis,  obconica,  oblique 
striata,  epidermide  tenui  subconcentrice  et  confertlssime  rugosa 
induta,  coloribus  sordide  viridibus  marmorata,  subtus  valde  con- 
vexa, perforata  :  spira  anfr.  4^  planulatis,  ultimo  superne  angu- 
lato  :  apertura  lunata  ;  labro  acuto  ad  umbilicum  reflexo.  Lat. 
j-,  alt.  f  poll.     Hah.  Feejee  Islands. 

The  specimens  collected  appear  to  be  immature,  but  the  pe- 
culiar minute  wrinkling  of  the  epidermis,  somewhat  like  that  on 
Planorhis  alhus  and  hirsutus,  may  serve  to  characterize  it. 

Helix  (Nanina)  irradiata.  T.  conico-globosa,  tenuis,  im- 
perforata,  albida,  supra  purpureo  radiatim  tessellata,  lineis  incre- 
menti  acutis  confertim  striata,  subtus  rotundata  :  spira  anfr.  6 
convexis,  ultimo  sub-angulato  :  apertura  transversa,  lunata  ;  labro 
acuto,  ad  columellam  incurvato,  vix  reflexo.  Lat.  ^^  alt.  f  poll. 
Hah.  New  Holland. 

A  singularly-colored  Helix,  in  shape  more  like  H.  Cuhensis 
than  any  other  which  I  recollect.  The  colors  are  arranged  some- 
what like  those  on  Bulimus  vexillum. 

Helix  (nanina)  rubricata.  Testa  globoso-conica,  solida,  vix 
perforata,  supra  nitida,  rufo-castanea,  striis  radiantibus  gregatim 
dispositis  et  striis  volventibus  decussata,  infra  glaberrima,  livido- 
castanea,  ad  centrum  declivis  :  spira  anfr.  6  convexis,  amplis; 
sutura  submarginata  :  apertura  semilunaris ;  fauce  livida  ; 
labro  simplici,  ad  columellam  reflexo,  albo.  Lat.  1,  alt.  f  poll. 
Hah.  Lebouka,  Feejee  Islands. 

In  shape  and  size  like  H.  zaieta  and  H.  irregularis  ;  but  in  all 
other  respects  it  is  like  H.  velulina,  Sowb.,  to  which  it  is  very 
closely  allied.     Perhaps  it  is  H.  Nouleti,  Le  Guillou. 


179 

Helix  lurida.  Testa  globoso-conica,  depressa,  glaberrima, 
iiilida,  livido-castanea,  infra  pallescens,  ad  umbilicum  minutum 
declivis  :  spira  anfr.  6  convexis,  radiatim  et  obtuse  striatis,  ultimo 
prope  aperturam  subangulato ;  sutura  impressa,  marginata  :  aper- 
tura  lunata,  fauce  livida  ;  labro  acuto,  ad  umbilicum  reflexo,  albo. 
Lat.  1,  alt.  ^  poll.     Hab.  Feejee  Islands. 

Groups  with  the  preceding  species  to  which  it  is  very  similar, 
but  differs  essentially  in  the  want  of  revolving  strias,  its  carinated 
periphery,  and  light-colored  umbilical  region.  It  probably  be- 
longs to  Nanina. 

Helix  calva.  Testa  tenais,  depresso-globosa,  nitida,  paliide 
stramineo-virescens,  arete  umbilicata  :  spira  anfr.  5  baud  turgidis, 
striis  incrementi  obsoletis ;  sutura  baud  impressa,  marginata: 
apertura  semilunaris  ;  labro  slmplici,  acuto,  ad  umbilicum  paulum 
reflexo.     Lat.  |-,  alt.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Feejee  Islands. 

Similar  to  the  preceding,  but  smaller  and  lighter-colored,  and 
is  plainly  distinguished  by  its  smooth,  shining,  rounded  spire, 
similar  to  the  summit  of  H.  Moricandi  or  H.  lychnuchus.  This 
must  also  be  a  Nanina. 

Dr.  G.  also  announced  the  receipt  of  another  letter  from 
Dr.  F.  W.  Cragin,  of  Surinam,  accompanying  various  con- 
tributions to  the  Cabinet,  and  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to 
Dr.  C.     Voted  unanimously. 

Dr.  Cabot  mentioned,  that  having  heard  that  Terns 
were  breeding  on  the  islands  of  Beverly  harbor,  he  had 
visited  those  islands,  and  found  the  birds  there,  in  great 
numbers.  The  Arctic  Tern  and  the  Roseate  Tern  were 
observed,  besides  great  numbers  of  the  common  species. 
He  believed  this  was  the  most  northern  limit  at  which  the 
Roseate  Tern  had  been  found,  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 
;  Dr.  Cabot  also  mentioned,  that  he  had  observed,  this 
season,  abundance  of  Horse  Mackerel  {Temnodon  saltator) 
in  Beverly  harbor,  twenty  or  more  at  a  time.  He  believed 
that  this  fish  had  not  usually  been  seen  in  shoals.  The  ap- 
pearance presented  by  their  motion  through  the  water,  pre- 
cisely resembled  that  of  the  sea-serpent,  as  described  by 
observers. 


180 


ADDITIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 


A  large  collection  of  Shells,  principally  from  the  Maranec  Ri- 
ver, was  presented  by  Dr.  B.  B.  Brown,  of  St.  Louis,  and  the 
thanks  of  the  Society  were  voted  to  the  donor. 


November  4,  1846. 
Dr.  Gould  vv^as  chosen  Chairnnan. 

Dr.  Storer^communicated  the  following  notes : 

*'  In  September  last,  a  specimen  o^  Palinurus  perciformis  was 
found  in  our  harbor.  This  is  the  first  specimen  I  have  known 
to  be  taken  north  of  Cape  Cod." 

"  A  specimen  of  Epeira was  found  by  my  son,  Hora- 
tio Storer,  at  Cambridge,  on  the  27th  September.  Hentz  men- 
tions only  North  Carolina  as  its  habitat.  It  agrees  most  perfectly 
with  Hentz's  figure." 

Dr.  Gould  gave  descriptions  of  the  follow^ing  species  of 
ViTRiNA,  from  the  collection  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

ViTRiNA  RuivENSis  (CouTHouY  MS.)  Tcsta  haliotiforrr  iS, 
transverse  subquadrata,  depressa,  papyracea,  pellucida,  nitida, 
chlorata,  gradibus  setatis  striata  :  spira  vix  conspicua,  anfr.  uno 
rapide  crescente ;  apice  laterali :  apertura  faciem  inferiorem  ade- 
quans  ;  labro  prope  spiram  membranaceo  ;  columella  laxe  intro 
spiram  volvente  et  earn  penitus  exhibente.  Lat.  |^,  alt.  ^V  po^'- 
Hah.  Madeira,  near  the  summit  of  Pico  de  Ruivo,  6210  feet  al- 
titude.    A  very  large  and  well-marked  species. 

ViTRiNA  NiTiDA.  Tcsta  deprcsso-globosa,  heliciformis,  tenu- 
issima,  pellucida,  nitidissima,  laevigata,  succineo-viridis,  imperfo- 
rata  :  spira  anfr.  4  convexis,  ultimo  amplo  ;  apice  subcentrali, 
prominente  ;  sutura  excavata :  apertura  transversa,  subcircula- 
ris  ;  peristomate  inflexo  ;  columella  arcuata,  usque  ad  apicem 
perspicua.  Diam.  -^^^  alt.  -^^  poll.  Hob.  Madeira,  Roche  de 
Empena,  4240  feet  elevation.  A  most  elegant  and  brilliant 
species. 


181 

ViTRiNA  CAPERATA.  Testa  helicoidca,  depresso-globosa,  ad 
peripheriam  obtuse  angulata,  tenuis,  sub-opaca,  striis  incremen- 
talibus  conspicuis  et  rugis  obliquis  ramulosis,  prsecipue  supernis, 
exarata,  dilute  fulvo-cornea,  arete  perforata  :  spira  anfractibus 
3^  convexis,  cito  crescentibus  ;  sutura,  profunda  ;  apice  subcen- 
trali :  apertura  sub-circularis ;  labro  simplici,  ad  umbilicum 
everso  ;  columella,  callum  sinnulante,  secundum  spiram  intro- 
eunte.  Diam.  max.  2^^,  alt.  ^  poll.  Hah.  Kauai,  Sandwich 
Islands. 

A  large  and  substantial  species,  easily  distinguished  by  the 
branching  wrinkles  of  the  surface,  which  perhaps  answer  to 
blood-vessels. 

ViTRiNA  MARciDA.  Tcsta  sigarctiformis,  tenuis,  sub-opaca, 
flavo-viridis,  depresso-orbicularis,  tenuiter  striata,  sub-perforata  : 
spira  anfr.  ad  3,  convexiusculis,  ultimo  ample,  declivo  ;  apice 
sub-centrali ;  sutura  bene  impressa  :  apertura  transversa,  ellip- 
tica ;  labro  plerumque  membranaceo.  Diam.  f  §,  alt.  -^^  poll. 
Hab.  Madeira,  Roche  de  Empefia  ;  height  of  4200  feet. 

Differs  from  V.  Lajnarckii,  especially  in  having  more  whorls. 
The  animal  is  still  more  decidedly  different. 

ViTRiNA  TENELLA.  Tcsta  parva,  V.  peliucidcB  simillima,  suc- 
cinea,  sub-perforata,  gradibus  aetatis  conspicuis  striata  :  spira 
rotundata,  apice  subcentrali,  anfr.  3,  convexis,  declinantibus  ;  su- 
tura excavata  :  apertura  sub-circularis  ;  labro  antrorsum  arcuata. 
Diam.  4-,  alt.  ■^\  poll.     Hai.  Kauai,  Sandwich  Islands. 

It  is  larger  than  V.  pelliicida,  more  opaque,  and  the  aperture 
is  larger. 

ViTRiNA  ROBUSTA.  Testa  helicoidea,  transversa,  depresso-glo- 
bosa, sub-valida,  polita,  perlucida,  dilute  flavo-viridis,  lineis  in- 
crementalibus  regularibus,  obtusis,  striata :  spira  obtusa,  anfr. 
3,  ultimo  magno  ;  apice  subcentrali ;  subtus  rotundata  :  apertura 
rotundata  ;  margine  sinistro  superne  reflexo,  rimam  umbilica- 
lem  parvum  formante.  Diam.  max.  ^,  alt.  ^  poll.  Hab.  New 
South  Wales. 

This  is  about  the  size  and  form  of  V.  nigra^  Quoy,  and  is 
almost  exactly  like  V.  Freycineti,  Fer.  It  is  more  globose  and 
brilliant  than  V.  marcida^  and  seems  to  be  built  more  firmly  than 
any  other  species. 


182 


November  18,  1846. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Gould  continued  his  descriptions  of  Shells  collected 
by  the  U.  S.  Exploring  Expedition. 

SucciNEA  ROTUNDATA.  Testa  parva,  tenera,  sub-opaca,  hemi- 
spherica,  flavo-virens,  concinne  striata  :  spira  fere  nulla,  intus 
aperta,  anfr.  2^,  ultimo  amplissimo  :  apertura  circularis,  postice 
angulata,  testam  fere  adequans  ;  margiiie  columellari  obliquo, 
subrecto,  conspicue  plicato,  et  callo  lato  induto.  Long,  y^g-,  lat.  J-^y 
alt.  20"  poll.     Hah.  Mountains  of  Oahu,  Sandwich  Islands. 

This,  with  the  two  following  species,  are  remarkable  for  their 
hemispherical  form  and  large  apertures,  with  the  animal  much 
too  large  for  the  shell,  and  belong  to  Helicolimax,  Fer.  Resem- 
bles S.  aperta,  Lea. 

SucciNEA  CEPULLA.  Testa  parva,  tenuissima,  pellucida,  nitida 
succineo-virens,  rotundato-elliptica,  depressa,  sinistrorsum  rotun 
data,  dextrorsum  declivis,  longitudinaliter  striata  et  liris  inequalr 
bus  volventibus  arata  :  spira  fere  nulla,  anfr.  2J- :  apertura  am 
plissima,  ovalis,  ad  basim  late  rotundata,  ad  columellam  arcuata 
leviter  plicata  ;  intus  metalUca.  Long.  |-,  lat.  ^ij,  alt.  -^  poll 
Hah.  Hawaii. 

Depressed  and  without  spire  like  the  preceding,  but  is  larger, 
more  transparent,  less  spherical,  has  spiral  furrows,  and  the 
aperture  is  peculiarly  widened  posteriorly  by  an  outward  sweep 
of  the  lip. 

SucciNEA  PUTAMEN.  Tcsta  magna,  depressa,  globoso-elliptica, 
tenuis,  Isevis,  striis  incrementalibus  et  striis  volventibus  lenuiter 
decussata,  fulvo-cornea,  ad  peripheriam  sub-angulata  :  spira  fere 
nulla,  anfr.  vix  2  :  sutura  linearis  :  apertura  paginam  inferiorem 
fere  adequans,  rotundato-ovalis  ;  margine  columellari  sub-plicato. 
Long,  -g-,  lat.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Upolu. 

A  remarkable  shell,  resembling  the  half  of  a  bird's  egg.  Dis- 
tinguished from  S.  rotundata  by  its  larger  size,  revolving  striae^ 
and  angular  periphery. 


133 

Sdccinea  vEsicALis.  Tcsta  tenuissima,  fragilis,  lucida,  late 
ovata,  depressa,  gradibus  setalis  undulata,  epidermide  straminea 
induta  :  spira  anfr.  3,  ulliino  magno,  patulo,  alteris  spiram  par- 
vam  formantibus  :  apertura  subovalis,  ad  basim  late  rotundata, 
longitudinis  ^  equans  ;  plica  columellari  conspicua.  Long,  y*^, 
lat.  I  ;  alt.  f  poll.     Hah.  Mauna  Kea,  Hawaii. 

About  the  shape  and  size  of  S.  rubescens.  A  delicate,  very- 
ample  species. 

SucciNEA  LU5IBALIS.  Tcsta  mediocris,  ovalo-conica,  tenuis- 
sima, sublucida,  pallide  virens,  leviter  striata,  subtus  gibbosa  : 
spira  acute  conica  ;  anfr.  3  convexiusculis,  ultimo  ventricoso, 
versus  suturam  declivi  :  apertura  rotundato-ovata  ;  columella 
valde  arcuata,  callo  induta  ;  plica  mediocri.  Long,  ^f^,  lat.  J>-(j, 
all.  ^j  poll.     Hab.  Kauai,  Sandwich  Islands. 

Its  dull  aspect,  conical  spire  and  ventricose  form  are  its  dis- 
tinctive marks.  It  resembles  small  specimens  of  Limnea  catas- 
copiu7n.  Say. 

SucciNEA  HUMEROSA.  Tcsta  ovata,  depressa,  sub-rhombea, 
sublucida,  striis  incrementalibus  rugosa,  sulcis  raris  volventibus 
interdum  arata,  dilute  virens,  et  interdum  rubrlcans  :  spira  anfr. 
3,  ultimo  permagno,  postice  sub-angulato :  apertura  sub-ovalis, 
postice  amplificata  ;  labro  dextrorsum  decurrente  ;  plica  columel- 
lari conspicua.  Long.  },  lat.  f ,  alt.  -^  poll.  Hab.  Mountains  of 
Taheiii. 

About  the  size  of  S.  amphibia,  and  has  a  peculiarly  broad 
aperture  on  account  of  the  outward  sweep  of  the  posterior  por- 
tion of  the  lip,  and  may  be  known  by  the  angular  shoulder  on 
the  last  whorl. 

SucciNEA  CROCATA.  Tcsta  pinguis,  sub-solida,  sub-opaca, 
ovato-globosa,  saturate  crocea,  lineis  incrementi  exilibus  et  in- 
terdum lineis  inordinatis  volventibus  striata  :  spira  brevis,  acuta, 
anfr.  vix  3,  convexis,  sutura  profundissima  discretis,  ultimo  ven- 
tricoso :  apertura  magna,  rotundata-ovata ;  columella  carinata 
sub-incrassata,  baud  sinuoso  :  intus  calcarea.  Long,  f ,  lat.  J- 
poll.     Hab.  Upolu. 

May  be  easily  known  by  its  large  size,  inflated  form,  and  its 
peculiar  color.     The  spire  is  remarkably  contorted. 


184 

SucciNEA  CANELLA.  Testa  parva,  sub-solida,  opaca,  ovata, 
impolila,  cinnamomea,  leviter  striata  :  spira  conspicua  ;  anfr.  3, 
ventricosis,  sutura  valde  constricta  discretis  :  apertura  parva, 
ovato-rotunda ;  peristomate  incrassato,  postice  sub-continuo ; 
columella  arcuata,  baud  plicata.  Long.  ^,  lat.  f  poll.  Hah. 
Maui,  Sandwich  Islands. 

Very  much  like  S.  avara,  Say,  and  S.  caduca,  Mighels  ;  but  it 
is  less  elongated,  more  solid,  and  without  a  columellar  fold. 

Mr.  Bouve  exhibited  a  series  of  fossil  Shells  of  the  Genus 
Strophontiena,  from  the  blue  limestone  of  Ohio,  brought  by 
Mr.  Bartlett,  from  Cincinnati. 

He  stated  that  a  Committee  of  the  Western  Academy  of  Nat- 
ural Sciences  had  lately  examined  a  large  number  of  specimens 
of  this  genus  from  the  Blue  Limestone,  and  had  become  satisfied 
that  far  too  many  species  had  been  formed  from  the  individuals 
found  in  that  deposit.  Instead  of  nearly  twenty  species,  they 
have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  they  may  all  be  reduced  to 
seven. 

Prof.  Agassiz  exhibited  a  Fish,  which  he  showed  to  be 
the  Huro  nigricans  of  Cuvier,  though  it  differed  in  several 
particulars,  which  he  pointed  out,  from  the  figures  and  de- 
scriptions usually  given  of  that  fish,  which  were  drawn  from 
a  defective  specimen.  It  is  the  same  species  described  by 
De  Kay  under  the  names  of  Centrarchus  fasciatus  and  C. 
obscurus. 

Dr.  Cabot  exhibited  a  specimen  of  the  Shovel-fish,  from 
Ohio  river. 

It  was  about  12  inches  in  length.  Prof.  Agassiz  remarked, 
that,  young  as  it  was,  the  yolk-sac  was  absorbed.  In  this  re- 
spect, the  sharks  and  other  cartilaginous  fishes  differ  from  the 
osseous,  the  former  retaining  the  sac  till  a  comparatively  advanc- 
ed period  of  their  growth.  The  sturgeons  resemble  the  osseous 
fishes  in  this  respect,  which  confirms  the  correctness  of  Prof. 
Agassiz's  classification  of  this  tribe  with  the  osseous  fishes, 
though  their  skeleton  is  as  soft  as  that  of  the  cartilaginous  fishes. 


185 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  exhibited  specimens  of  Botryoidal  and 
other  Copper  ores,  from  Coale's  mine,  Frederick  Co.,  Mary- 
land. He  also  pointed  out  a  green  crust,  which  he  suppos- 
ed to  be  a  new  mineral,  adhering  to  a  mass  of  Chrome  ore. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  presented  some  Bulbous  roots, 
which  were  brought  from  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  Califor- 
nia, by  Capt.  John  Girdler,  of  IMarblehead,  who  stated  that 
they  were  in  use  there  as  a  substitute  for  soap.  They  were 
referred  to  Mr.  Teschemacher. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  nominated  Mr.  S.  L.  Bigelow  for 
election  as  a  member  of  the  Society. 


December  2,  1846. 
Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Gould  continued  his  descriptions  of  Succinea. 

SccciNEA  Magellanic^.  Testa  parva,  tenuis,  subflexilis,  luci- 
da,  nitida,  intense  virens,  rotundato-ovata  :  spira  brevis,  acuta, 
anfr.  3,  sutura  profunda  discretis,  ultimo  amplo,  ventricoso  : 
apertura  ovata ;  margine  columellari  reflexiusculo,  callo  tenui 
superne  munito.     Long.  ^,  lat.  f ,  poll.     Hab.  Terra  del  Fuego. 

A  small,  remarkably  short  and  ventricose  species,  conspicuous 
also  for  its  deep  grass-green  color. 

Succinea  manuana.  Testa  parva,  ovata,  ventricosa,  tenuis, 
sub-opaca,  straminea,  longitudinaliter  striata  et  transverse  sparsim 
rugosa  :  spira  obtusa,  exserta,  anfr.  2^-,  ventricosis,  sutura  pro- 
funda discretis  :  apertura  ovato-rotundata,  peristomate  ad  colu- 
mellam  minime  reflexo ;  regione  umbilicali  depressa,  sinuosa. 
Long.  ^,  lat.  J-,  poll.     Hah.  Manua. 

A  small,  plump  species,  resembling  S.  Magellanica,  but  still 
more  ventricose,  and  is  further  distinguished  by  its  pale  color 
and  opacify. 


186 

SucciNEA  MODESTA.  Tcsta  mediocris,  ovata,  tenuis,  nitens, 
diaphana,  strarnineo-cornea,  tenuiter  striata,  et  lineis  interruptis 
volventibus  arata,  subtus  ventricosa  :  spira  reflexa,  anfr.  3,  ven- 
tricosis  :  apertura  rotundato-ovaia ;  columella  arcuata  incrassata, 
sub-perforata ;  plica  conspicua.  Long.  -^,  lat.  f  poll.  Hah. 
Upolu. 

Like  a  small  S.  campestris,  Say.  Differs  from  the  next  species 
by  its  shorter  spire,  pale  greenish  color,  and  more  arcuated  co- 
lumelh. 

SucciNEA  VENUSTA.  Tcsta  mediocris,  ovata,  tenuis,  pellucida, 
nitida,  ordinatim  striata,  epidermide  succinea,  interdum  vires- 
cente  induta,  subtus  gibbosa :  spira  conspicua,  obtusiuscula, 
anfr.  24-  rotundatis  :  apertura  ovata,  longitudinis  testae  duos  trientes 
adequans,  postice  angulata ;  columella  obliqua,  absque  plica. 
Long.  y^(j,  lat.  ^,  alt.  I  poll.     Hab.  Hawaii. 

Almost  exactly  like  S.  oralis,  Say,  but  is  a  little  more  corpulent. 
It  is  less  elongated  than  S.  pudorina,  more  shining  and  different- 
ly colored. 

Succinea  pudorina.  Testa  elongata,  ovato-turrita,  tenuis, 
lucida,  striis  conspicuis  longitudinalibus  notata,  succineo-rubes- 
cens  :  spira  elevata,  anfr.  3  cylindraceis  valde  obliquis  et  sutura 
profunda  discretis  composita.  Apertura  testae  trientes  duos  ade- 
quans, elongato-ovata,  angusta  :  columella  obliqua,  sub-recta,  vix 
plicata.  Long.  ^^,  lat.  y%,  alt.  j  poll.  Hab.  Mountains  of  Ta- 
heiti  and  Eimeo. 

Very  much  like  S.  ohlonga,  Drap.  It  is  more  slender,  the 
aperture  narrower,  and  the  penult  whorl  nearly  twice  as  long. 

Succinea  infundibuliformis.  Testa  acuto-conica,  infundi- 
buliformis,  ad  basim  peroblique  truncata,  concinne  striata,  opaca, 
viridis  :  spira  obtusa,  anfr.  2^  planulatis,  ultimo  magno  ;  sutura 
lineari  :  apertura  rotundato-ovata  ;  margine  sinistro  inflexo,  ad 
peripheriam  carinato.  Long,  y^,  lat.  ^^  poll.  Hab.  Mountains 
of  Taheiti  and  Eimeo. 

A  most  remarkable  tunnel-shaped  species,  resembling  pre- 
cisely the  sugar-cockles  of  the  confectioners.  It  is  allied  to  S. 
procera,  which  has  all  the  outlines  a  little  convex,  an  amber  co- 
lor, and  no  inflection  of  the  columellar  margin. 


187 

SucciNEA  PRocERA.  Testa  magna,  elongata,  lanceolala,  fulvo- 
cornea,  slriis  incrementalibus  crassis  rugosa  :  spira  acuta,  anfr.  3 
perobliquis  convexiusculis  composita,  partem  longiti.idinis  fere 
dimidiam  agquans  :  apertura  ovato-oblongata  ;  labro  postice  de- 
currente  ;  columella  arcuata,  sub-incrassata.  Long,  frj,  lat.  ^^ 
poll.     Hab.  Eimeo. 

A  large,  remarkably  slender  species,  of  coarse  exterior,  allied 
to  S.  infundibuUformis,  and  much  resembling  Limnea  umbrosa 
in  form. 

SucciNEA  RUSTicANA.  Testa  elongata,  ovato-conica,  tenuis, 
pallide  virens,  impolita,  lineis  incrementalibus  inequalibus  et  cras- 
sis striata,  subtus  convexa  :  spira  acuta,  anfr.  3  convexiusculis  : 
apertura  ovata,  quadrantes  tres  longitudinis  adequans  ;  columella 
arcuata,  perspicue  plicata.     Long.  ^,  lat.  ^  poll.     Hab.  Oregon. 

Dr.  Cabot  presented  and  described  a  specimen  of  Py- 
ranga. 

P.  ROSEo-GULARis.  Cabot.  Male,  top  of  head,  outer  edge  of 
primaries  and  secondaries,  and  surface  of  greater  and  lesser 
wing  coverts,  the  tail  and  its  upper  coverts,  bright  brownish-red. 
Under  side  of  tail  and  its  under  coverts,  throat  and  flexures  of 
wings,  bright  rose-color.  Back  and  posterior  part  of  cheeks 
dark  brownish  ash-color ;  anterior  part  of  cheeks,  breast,  and 
belly,  bright  ash-colored.  Twelve  tail  feathers.  Bill  strongly 
toothed,  horn-color  at  top,  lighter  beneath.  Legs  and  feet  horn- 
colored.  Total  length  6|-  inches ;  of  bill  f  inch  ;  along  the 
ridge  f ;  along  the  gape  ■f'-^  of  an  inch  ;  across  at  base  |-  through 
from  above  down.  Tooth  situated  at  ^  inch  from  point  of  bill. 
Tarsus  rather  more  than  f  inch  in  length.  Tail  2f  inches  long. 
Wing  from  flexure  3^  inches. 

Shot  on  the  road  from  Chemax  to  Yalahao,  Yucatan,  April, 
1845. 

Prof.  Agassiz  made  some  remarks  upon  the  Moose  and 
Caribou  (  Cervus  alces  and  tarandus,  auct.) 

These  species  were  usually  supposed  common  to  this  country 
and  Europe,  but  were  in  fact  both  different  from  the  analogous 
species  of  the  old   world.     He  indicated  some  of  the  points  of 


188 

difference  in  the  form  of  the  nose,  the  shape  and  branching  of 
the  horns,  &c.  He  proposes  the  name  of  C.  lolatus  for  the 
Moose,  and  that  of  C.  hastalis  for  the  Caribou. 

He  also  remarked  upon  some  species  of  Birds,  usually  consid- 
ered common  to  the  two  continents.  Eichardson,  visiting  the 
northern  regions,  had  been  impressed  with  the  opinion  that  a 
large  proportion  of  the  species  of  Birds  and  Mammalia  were  the 
same  as  those  of  Europe.  Prince  Canino,  making  his  observa- 
tions in  a  lower  latitude,  had  come  to  an  opposite  conclusion, 
and  pronounced  them  all  different.  The  fact  doubtless  is,  that 
species  inhabiting  the  Arctic  regions  of  both  continents  are  fre- 
quently common  to  both,  while  those  of  lower  latitudes  are 
usually  distinct.  The  American  Raven  being  different  from  the 
European,  and  not  yet  introduced  under  a  proper  name,  he  pro- 
poses to  call  it  C.  luguhris. 

Dr.  Cabot  read  extracts  from  a  Catalogue  of  Birds,  observed 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Chicago,  111.,  by  Mr.  S.  C.  Clark. 

Mr.  Bouve  exhibited  specimens  of  Spherulites  and  Hip- 
purites  from  Mount  Lebanon. 

Mr.  Teschemacher  reported  on  the  Bulbous  roots,  pre- 
sented by  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  as  coming  from  California, 
and  there  used  as  a  substitute  for  soap. 

They  are,  in  his  opinion,  the  bulbs  of  an  Ornithogalous  plant, 
called  PTialangium  Pomeridianum.  Mr.  T.  stated,  that  he  had 
cultivated  this  plant,  received  from  California,  during  five  or  six 
years.  It  always  produced  leaves  in  abundance,  but  he  was 
never  able  to  make  it  blossom. 

Dr.  W.  F.  Channing  presented  specimens  of  the  eyeless 
Crawfish,  from  the  Mammoth  Cave  in  Kentucky,  and  gave 
some  account  of  its  habits.  Prof.  Agassiz  was  requested 
to  examine  the  specimens. 

Mr.  S.  L.  Bigelow  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Society. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Sept.  19.  Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History,  for  Sep- 
tember, 1846.     8vo.  London.     By  purchase. 


189 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.  Part  29.  For  September,  1846. 
Exchange. 

Annals  of  the  Lyceum  of  Natural  History  of  New  York. 
Vol.  III.,  Nos.  1-4,  and  Vol.  IV.,  Nos.  1-4,  and  6,  7.  8vo. 
New  York,  1828-'46.     From  the  Lyceum  Nat.  History. 

Oct.  10.  Naturgeschichte  der  Infusionsthiere  von  Professor 
S.  Kutorga.     8vo.  pam.     St.  Petersburgh,  1839. 

Atlas  to  the  above.  4to.  pam.  Carlsruhe,  1841.  From 
Charles  Cramer. 

Report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Patents.  Congressional  Do- 
cument.    8vo.     Washington,  1846.     jR.  C.  Winthrop. 

Oct.  22.     Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.     Part  30.     Exchange. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  No.  119.  For 
October,  1846.     Purchase. 

Nov.  3.  Second  Annual  Report  on  the  Geology  of  Vermont. 
By  C.  B.  Adams.     8vo.  pamph.     Burlington,  1846.     Author. 

Silliman's  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts.  No.  6, 
second  series  ;  for  November,  1846.     Exchange. 

Nov.  19.  L'Investigateur,  Journal  de  I'lnstitut  Historique  ; 
145me  livraison.     September,  1846.     8vo.  pam.     Institute. 

Haldeman's  Monograph  of  Fresh  water  Univalve  Mollusca. 
8vo.  pam.     No.  8.     Philadelphia.     Author. 

Volcanoes  of  the  Moon,  by  James  D.  Dana.  8vo.  pam.  New 
Haven,  1846.     A^uihor. 

Proceedings  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society.  Vol.  IV. 
No.  35,  for  January  -  June.     American  Phil.  Society. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.     Part  31.     Exchange. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  No.  120.  For 
November,  1846.     Purchase. 

Nov.  20.  Plates  to  Audubon's  Quadrupeds  of  North  Ameri- 
ca.    Nos.  91-95.     Suhscribers. 

Nov.  29.  American  Quarterly  Journal  of  Agriculture  and 
Science.     Vol.  IV.,  No.  2.     8vo.     New  York,  1840.     Editors. 

Proceedings  of  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences.  Vol.  III.,  Nos. 
4,  5.     8vo.  pamph.     Philadelphia. 

Dec.  12.  Caricis  Species  Novae,  vel  minus  cognitcs.  Auc- 
tore  Francisco  Boott.     4to.  pam  p.     London,  1846.     Author. 

Dec.  17.  Plates,  96-100,  Audubon's  Quadrupeds  of  North 
America.     Suhscribers. 


190 

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1846.     Exchange. 

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December,  1846.     Purchase. 

Report  of  the  Season  of  1846.  Published  by  request  of  the 
Middlesex  County  Agricultural  Society.  By  Joseph  Barratt. 
8vo.  pamp.     Middletown,  Conn.     Author. 


December  16,  1846. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Gould  continued  his  description  of  Shells  from  the 
Exploring  Expedition. 

BuLiMUs  ELOBATUS.  Testa  solidula,  elongato-ovata,  longitu- 
dinaliter  plicoso-striata  et  lineolis  volventibus  interruptis  corrosa, 
epidermide  sordide  luteo  et  viridi  marmorata  induta,  arete  um- 
bilicata  :  spira  anfr.  5  convexis,  ultimo  magno  :  apertura  angus- 
ta,  sub-elliptica  ;  labro  simplici,  obtuso,  aurantio;  plica  columel- 
lari  perobliqua.     Long.  2^,  lat.  If  poll.     Hab.  Feejee  Islands. 

Belongs  to  the  same  group  as  B.  fulguratus  and  B.  malleatus., 
characterized  by  the  large  fold  on  the  columella.  It  is  the 
largest  of  the  three,  resembling  the  former  in  its  sculpture  and 
the  coloring  of  the  aperture,  and  the  latter  in  coloring.  It  is 
distinguished  by  its  unreflected  lip,  its  narrow  aperture,  less  con- 
spicuous and  more  oblique  columellar  fold,  more  ventricose  and 
less  oblique  whorls. 

BuLiMus  MOROSus.  Tcsta  crassa,  rudis,  ovata,  albido-cinerea, 
longitudinaliter  striata,  arete  umbilicata  ;  spira  anfr.  5  convexis  : 
apertura  subauriculata ;  peristomate  latissime  revoluto,  albo, 
postice  angulato  ;  plica  columellari  ampla.Long.  If,  lat.  1  poll. 
Hah.  Feejee  Islands. 

Of  the  same  group  as  the  preceding,  but  is  smaller,  more  solid 
and  less  elegant  than  its  associates.  Its  want  of  epidermis  and 
colors,  its  angular  outline  and  very  broad,  revolute  lip,  character- 
ize it. 


191 

BuLiMDS  PROLATUS.  Testd  ovoidea,  anlrorsum  angustata, 
leviter  striata,  albido-cinerea,  fasciis  quatuor  liturarum  ferrugine- 
arum  cincta  :  spira  ovato-conica  ;  anfr.  5  convexiusculis :  apertu- 
ra  elliptica,  totius  longitudinis  dimidium  adequans  ;  labro  sim- 
plici,  acuto  :  columella  brevis,  late  reflexa,  alba,  umbilicum 
parvum  tegens.     Long.  If,  lat.  1  poll.     Hab.  Santiago,  Chili. 

A  shell  of  a  remarkably  regular,  elongated  ovoid  form,  some- 
what like  B.  Favannii,  only  more  narrowed  anteriorly,  and  dis- 
tinguished by  its  four  bands  of  rusty  blotches. 

BuLiMUS  ciLiATUs.  Testa  tenuis,  ovato-conica,  viridis,  striis 
volventibus,  cilias  rigidas  nunc  longas  nunc  breviores  gerentibus, 
cincta  :  spira  acuta,  anfr.  6  convexis,  ultimo  magno,  ventricoso, 
sub-angulato :  apertura  sub-ovala,  antice  angustata  ;  labro  sim- 
plici;  columella  recta,  alba,  umbilicum  parvum  obtegente. 
Long.  Y^^,  lat.  y^fy  poll.     Hah.  Organ  Mountain,  Brazil. 

This  shell,  with  its  thick,  dark  green  epidermis,  looks  like  a 
Paludina.  P.  veluiino-hispidus  of  Moricand,  another  hairy  spe- 
cies, is  more  globular. 

BuLiMUs  PRUNiNus.  Testa  ovato-turrita,  solida,  leviter  striata, 
livido-purpurea,  infra  suturam  et  circa  umbilicum  albido  zonata  • 
spira  acuta,  anfr.  6,  convexiusculis,  subtabulatis  :  apertura  mo- 
dica,  ovata  ;  labro  simplici,  intus  callo  stramineo  incrassato,  ad 
columellam  reflexo  ;  fauce  livido.     Long.   |^,  lat.  f  poll.     Hab.  ? 

This  is  a  solid,  elongated,  peculiar  species,  probably  belong- 
ing to  South  America. 

BuLiMUS  HYBRiDus.  Tcsta  crassa,  elongato-ovata,  polita,  cas- 
tanea,  lituris  ochraceis  admodum  oblique  ordinatis  maculata : 
spira  anfr.  6  convexis,  sub  lente  spiraliter  striatis ;  ultimo  magno 
sub-compresso,  ad  basim  oblique  carinato  et  rima  umbilicali  per- 
forato  :  apertura  angustata,  elongato-elliptica,  antice  angulata  et 
canaliculata ;  labro  crasso,  late  reflexo,  rubro-purpureo  ;  fauce 
roseo.     Long.  If,  lat.  f  poll.     Vicinity  of  Rio  Janeiro. 

A  beautiful  shell,  intermediate  between  B.  goniostoma  and  B. 
multicolor.,  having  the  aperture  of  the  former,  and  the  size,  form 
and  marking  of  the  latter. 

BuLiMus  JUNCEUs.  Tcsta  parva,  elongato-conica,  tenuis, 
translucida,   dilute   virens,  concinne  striata,  vix  perforata :  spira 


192 

ad  apicem  obtusa ;  anfr.  7,convexiusculis,  superne  con-tabulatis  ; 
apertura  elongato-ovata ;  labro  simplici,  ad  columellam  vix  re- 
flexo.  Long,  y^jj,  lat.  y^  poll.  Hcib.  Society  and  Sandwich 
Islands. 

A  delicate,  slender  shell,  varying  a  good  deal  in  size,  and 
closely  allied  to,  if  not  the  same  as  B.  clavula^  Qiioy,  B.  bacteri- 
onides,  D'Orb.,  and  B.  octonoides,  Adanns,  from  the  West  Indies. 
Perhaps  it  is  a  species  attached  to  the  plantain,  cocoa-nut,  or  some 
other  tropical  plant. 

Mr.  Bouve  exhibited  an  Echinus  from  the  Millstone  Grit 
of  Georgia,  which  he  considered  a  new  species  of  the  genus 
Pygorhynchus  of  Agassiz  ;  and  of  which  he  gave  a  descrip- 
tion. 

Pygorynchus  Gouldii.  Bouve.  Above,  conico-convex,  a 
little  more  sloping  posteriorly  than  anteriorly.  Margin  somewhat 
rounded,  except,  near  and  under  the  anus,  where  by  an  excava- 
tion or  depression,  it  becomes  acute.  Inferior  surface  sub-circu- 
lar. Mouth  situated  about  one  third  of  longitudinal  diameter 
from  the  anterior  margin.  Apex  sub-central,  a  little  anterior, 
but  not  so  much  so  as  the  mouth.  Ambulacra  radiating  at  une- 
qual angles,  the  interambulacral  spaces  dividing  the  three  ante- 
rior from  the  two  posterior,  being  wider  than  the  rest.  The 
pores  of  each  diverge  considerably  from  the  apex,  becoming 
quite  dilated  a  short  distance  from  it,  then  converge  as  they  de- 
scend, until  about  two-thirds  the  distance  from  the  summit  to  the 
margin,  where  they  are  very  limited  in  width,  and  where  the 
double  rows  become  single.  On  the  margin  they  again  slightly 
dilate,  and  are  readily  traceable  to  their  termination  about  the 
mouth,  where  they  are  prominent.  The  anterior  ambulacrum  is 
much  narrower  than  the  rest.  Anus  transverse,  and  situated  at 
about  one-fifth  the  distance  from  the  posterior  margin  to  the  apex. 
Whole  length,  as  shown  by  three  individuals  examined,  1|-  inches, 
greatest  width  l-^-  inches,  height  1  inch.  Locality,  Baker  Coun- 
ty, Georgia.  Description  of  characters  from  specimens  in  Cabi- 
net of  the  Society. 

I  take  great  pleasure  in  naming  this  beautiful  species  after  my 
respected  friend.  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould. 


193 

Professor  Agassiz  remarked  of  the  rock  in  which  this  spe- 
cimen occurred,  that  it  was  the  oldest  member  of  the  terti- 
ary group,  if  not,  as  some  supposed,  belonging  to  the  cre- 
taceous ;  the  name  of  Pisolttic  system  had  been  applied  to 
it  by  Elie  de  Beaumont. 

He  also  pointed  out  the  characters  in  which  his  genus 
Pygorhynchus  differs  from  Clypeaster  and  Echinolampas. 

Both  have  the  ambulacra  petaloid,  an  anterior  mouth,  and 
posterior  anus.  Echinolampas  has  no  teeth,  and  the  interior  of 
the  body  is  a  simple  caviiy.  Clypeaster  has  five  teeth,  and  the 
internal  cavity  divided  by  columns.  Pygorhynchus  is  distin- 
guished by  a  depression  at  the  anus,  the  ambulacra  elongated  and 
distinct  to  the  margin.  The  mouth  is  transverse,  but  in  the  other 
genera  direct.  He  pronounces  the  species  exhibited  by  Mr. 
Bouve  decidedly  new. 

Dr.  W.  F.  Channing  gave  an  account  of  the  Crawfish 
from  the  Mammoth  Cave,  Kentucky,  presented  by  him  at 
the  last  meeting. 

He  remarked  that,  like  everything  else  having  life  in  the  cave, 
it  was  colorless.  There  were  points,  in  the  ordinary  position  of 
the  eyes,  which  might  prove  to  be  those  organs  or  their  rudi- 
ments. A  Crawfish  of  the  common  species  was  caught  in  the 
cave  at  nearly  the  same  time  as  the  present  specimen,  having 
undoubtedly  entered  during  a  flood  of  Green  River,  which  oc- 
curred at  the  time,  and  during  which  the  waters  back  up  into 
the  cave.  This  would  explain,  perhaps,  the  original  introduc- 
tion both  of  the  blind  fish  and  of  the  crawfish,  but  would  make  it 
remarkable  that  the  species  had  continued  distinct. 

Professor  Agassiz  had  examined  the  Crawfish  presented 
by  Dr.  Channing. 

The  eye  of  this  class  of  Crustaceans  is  placed  upon  a  pedicle, 
and  appears  like  a  bulb  covered  with  facets.  In  this  specimen 
the  pedicle  exists,  but  the  bulb  with  facets  is  wanting;  and  con- 
sequently there  is  no  eye,  though  he  supposed  the  eye  to  exist  in 
a  rudimentary  state  ;  but  the  specimen  was  not  in  a  state  to  admit 
of  ascertaining  whether  or  not  the  optic   nerve  existed.     The 

PROCEEDINGS  B.   S.  N.   H.  18  MARCH,  ld-17. 


194 

species  had  been  described  by  Tellkampf,  and  named  Astacus 
pellucidus. 

Prof.  A.  mentioned  a  remarkable  fact,  ascertained  by  Erich- 
son,  with  regard  to  the  Crawfishes  of  America.  They  have  all 
one  pair  of  gills  less  than  those  of  the  old  world. 

Dr.  Channing  also  presented  to  the  collection  of  the  Society  a 
large  umbel-shaped  mass  of  Fossil  Coral,  which  seemed  to  con- 
stitute an  entire  individual,  and  which  is  a  specimen  of  similar 
masses  which  occur  scattered  through  the  limestone  near  Sharon 
Springs,  Schoharie  county,  New  York.  No  attempt  was  made 
to  name  it,  or  give  its  special  characteristics. 

Dr.  C.  placed  upon  the  table  some  of  the  Seeds  of  the  Wild 
Oat,  with  the  beard  attached,  procured  by  him  from  the  uplands 
of  the  prairies  in  Wisconsin  during  the  past  summer.  The  beards 
of  these  were  in  some  instances  five  inches  long,  and  presented 
the  spiral  structure  which  gives  the  smaller  variety  of  animated 
oat  its  peculiar  sensitiveness  to  moisture.  These  specimens 
were  picked  on  the  28th  of  June,  before  the  seed  was  quite  ma- 
ture, and,  perhaps  on  this  account,  seemed  to  be  only  slightly 
influenced  by  hygrometric  changes.  The  stalk  grows  about 
three  feet  high  ;  and  as  the  supply  is  very  large,  especially  in 
Middle  and  Northern  Wisconsin,  it  may  be  worth  while  to  re- 
member the  locality. 

Dr.  C.  also  exhibited  some  cases  of  the  larvae  of  trichopterous 
insects  from  a  pond  in  the  north  of  New  Hampshire.  These 
cases  were  spoken  of  as  remarkable  from  their  shape,  which 
was  an  elongated  quadrilateral  pyramid,  presenting  right  angles 
and  flat  sides.  The  larva  exhibits  very  brilliant  colors  of  black 
and  green. 

Dr.  Channing  presented  a  fragment  of  a  leaden  conduit 
from  Pompeii. 

He  had  intended  to  have  made  an  examination  of  the  change 
the  metal  had  undergone  from  the  lapse  of  time,  but  had  not  yet 
done  so.  He  ofliered  it  to  any  gentleman  who  might  be  disposed 
to  examine  it.  At  the  request  of  Dr.  Jackson,  he  consented  to 
resume  it,  and  pursue  the  inquiry  himself. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  read,  from  English  papers  and  periodi- 
cals, notices  of  Gun  cotton,  with  a  view  of  showing  the  date 


195 

at  which  the  process  of  preparing  the  article  was  disclosed 
in  this  country. 

Dr.  Bacon  stated  that  he  had  examined,  under  the  micro- 
scope, specimens  of  Gun  cotton  prepared  by  Dr.  C.  T.  Jack- 
son, and  also  some  prepared  by  himself. 

Specimens  of  the  Cotton,  before  and  after  preparation,  were 
put  up  in  Canada  balsam  on  slips  of  glass,  and  covered  by  very 
thin  glass.  When  viewed  by  transmitted  light,  with  powers  from 
150  to  800,  many  of  the  fibres  of  the  Gun  cotton  appear  thick- 
ened, but  no  other  change  can  be  perceived  on  comparison  with 
the  unprepared  article.  There  is  no  appreciable  difference  in 
the  transparency  of  the  two. 

They  were  now  examined  in  polarized  light  by  means  of  the 
polarizing  attachment  to  the  microscope.  ^Vhen  the  polarizing 
and  analyzing  prisms  are  so  arranged  as  to  afford  a  dark  field, 
the  riband-like  fibres  of  the  cotton  before  preparation  are  seen  as 
luminous  objects  upona'black  ground,  and  are  tinged  with  bright 
and  varied  colors.  They  are  thus  proved  to  possess  a  strong 
polarizing  power.  The  Gun  cotton,  under  the  same  circum- 
stances, presents  an  entirely  different  appearance.  Its  fibres  are 
much  less  luminous,  and  have  a  nearly  uniform  dull  blue  color. 
It  is  evident  that  the  process  of  preparation  has  so  altered  the 
structure  of  the  fibres  as  to  lessen  very  greatly  their  action  on 
polarized  light. 

Gun  cotton  prepared  by  Dr.  Jackson  by  immersion  for  twelve 
and  for  eighteen  hours  in  the  strongest  acids,  has  not  lost  its  po- 
larizing power  in  any  appreciably  greater  degree  than  after  an 
immersion  of  three  minutes  only.  This  agrees  with  the  results 
of  other  modes  of  trial  in  indicating  that  the  latter  period  is  suffi- 
cient for  the  complete  preparation  of  the  Cotton,  when  the  acids 
are  of  full  strength.  In  all  the  specimens  there  are  some  fila- 
ments so  nearly  destitute  of  polarizing  power  as  to  be  scarcely 
visible  on  the  black  ground,  but  none  have  been  found  entirely 
without  action.  When  the  polarizing  and  analyzing  prisms  are 
in  such  a  position  as  to  give  a  bright  field,  a  portion  of  the  fibres 
becomes  tinged  with  a  color  approaching  to  orange,  while  the  re- 
mainder appear  colorless  as  in  ordinary  light. 


196 

Mr.  Horace  Gray,  Jr.  was  nominated  for  election  as  a 
member  of  the  Society,  by  Mr.  Dillaway. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Plates  to  Audubon's  Quadrupeds  of  North  America,  Nos.  91 
to  95.     Subscribers. 

American  Quarterly  Journal  of  Agriculture  and  Science,  VoL 
IV.  No.  2.     8vo.     New  York.     Editors, 

Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  Vol.  III. 
Nos.  4,  5.     8vo.  pamph.     Philadelphia.      The  Academy. 

Caricis  Species  Novae  vel  minus  cognitse.  Auctore  Francisco 
Boott.     4to.  pamph.     London,  1846.     Author. 


January  6,  1847. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  Presidejit,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Gould  gave  descriptions  of  the  following  species  of 
Partula,  Pupa,  and  Balea,  collected  by  the  Exploring  Ex- 
pedition. 

Partula  conica.  Testa  elongato-conica,  interdum  sinistrorsa, 
flavida  vel  castanea,  leviter  striata  et  lineis  crebris  volventibus 
decussata,  late  perforata  :  spira  elevata,  acuta,  anfr.  6  ventricosis, 
ultimo  permagno;  sutura  impressa,  albida  :  apertura  obliqua, 
ovalis  ;  peristomate  albo  vel  rosaceo,  late  reflexo,  sub-planulato. 
Long,  ly'g-,  lat.  li  poll.     Hob.  Samoa  Islands,  Raraka  Island. 

Larger  than  any  species  hitherto  described,  and  resembling 
Bulimus  Icevus  in  form.  It  may  possibly  be  P.  bulitnoides, 
Lesson. 

Partula  zebrina.  Testa  variabilis,  ovata,  tenuis,  alba,  flava 
vel  fulva,  plerumque  strigis  longitudinalibus  flexuosis  albis  varie- 
gata,  spiraliter  tenuistriata,  umbilico  rimato  perforata  :  spira  anfr. 
ad  5  rotundatis,  ultimo  ventricoso :  apertura  elliptica,  peristomate 
albo,  late  reflexo,  planulato  ;  plica  columellari  magna.  Long, 
"i^j,  lat.  ^  poll.     Hab.  Tutuilla,  Samoa  Islands. 

A  rather  large  and   very  fine  species,  more  ventricose  than 


197 

others,  and  distinguished   by  its  perfectly  flattened  peristome,  as 
well  as  by  its  variegated  coloring  and  revolving  striae. 

Partula  pusilla.  Testa  parva,  elongata,  conica,  polita,  albi- 
do-cornea,  perforata :  spira  acuta,  anfr.  6  convexis,  superne 
tabulatis  :  apertura  sub-quad  rata,  postlce  lamella  intro-volvente 
instrucia  ;  peristomale  reflexo,  dextrorsum  sinuato.  Long,  /q, 
lat.  :^^  poll.     Hab.  Matea  Island,  under  stones. 

This  little  species  bears  all  the  characters  of  the  group,  and  is 
by  fur  the  most  minute  species  yet  described. 

Pupa  {Vertigo)  TANTiLLA.  Testa  minima,  sub-ovalis,  albida, 
perforata  :  spira  obtusa  ;  anfr.  4  convexiusculis,  supernis  sub- 
clathratis,  ultimo  exiliter  rugoso-granulato  :  apertura  sub-rotun- 
da, peristomate  everso;  fauce  dentibus  5  armato,  quorum  uno 
columellari,  uno  basali,  uno  labiali  et  duobus  posticis.  Long,  y^^, 
lat.  ^V  Pol'-     ^^^'  Taheiti,  2000  feet  elevation. 

About  the  shape  and  size  of  P.  Gouldii,  and  with  the  same 
number  of  teeth,  but  has  two  of  them  on  the  transverse  lip,  in- 
stead of  on  the  columella. 

Pupa  PEP0x\u:.r.  Testa  minuta,  variabilis,  ovata,  plus  minusve 
elongata,  tenuis,  lucida,  nitida,  fulv^o-cornea,  perforata  :  spira 
anfr.  6  convexis  leviter  striatis  :  apertura  ovato-rotundata,  pos- 
tice  lamellam  volventem  gerens ;  labro  simplici,  ad  columellam 
plerumque  late  revoluto  ;  columella  vol  nuda  vel  lamellis  trans- 
versis  1-3  instructa.  Long,  /j,  lat.  ^^j  poll.  Hah.  Sandwich 
Islands  ;  very  abundant  on  pumpkin  vines. 

This  interesting  little  shell  is  of  somewhat  doubtful  genus.  It 
may  prove  to  be  of  the  genus  Tornatellina  or  Elasmatina.  Its 
very  variable  characters  render  a  decision  difficult.  But  it  be- 
longs to  the  old  genus  Pupa,  where  I  at  present  place  it. 

Pupa  (Megaspira)  elata.  Testa  sub-cylindrica,  elevata,  tenuis, 
nitida,  striis  conspicuis  lirata,  cornea,  lituris  parvis  sparsis  prope 
suluram  notata,  vix  perforata;  spira  obtusa,  anfr.  19  ani2;uslis 
sub-planulatis  :  apertura  parva,  obliqua,  lunata,  antice  sub-efiusa 
poslice  lamellam  volvenlem  gerens  ;  plica  columellari  modica, 
bilamellata.     Long.  1^,  lat.  ^  poll.     Hab.  Brazil. 

Compared  with  P.  elalior  it  is  smaller,  more  cylindrical,  more 
delicately  striated,  more  shining,  the  whorls  more  crowded,  be- 


198 

ing  as  19  to  16  in  the  same  space,  the   columella  smaller  and 
with  one  fold  less,  the  lip  effuse  and  the  umbilicus  much  smaller. 

Balea  peregrixa.  Testa  parv^a,  sinistrorsa,  elongata,  sub-fu- 
siformis,  solida,  opaca,  rufo-cinerea,  vix  striata,  perforata  :  spira 
ad  apicem  mamillata;  anfr.  8,  planulatis,  sub-tabulatis  ;  sutura 
lineari,  profunda  :  apertura  sub-quadrata  ;  peristomate  continuo, 
sequato,  leviter  refle^xo.    Long,  f ,  lat.  y^y  poll.     Hab.  N.  Zealand. 

I  have  referred  this  shell  to  the  genus  Balea  with  much  hesi- 
tation, on  account  of  its  locality.  It  is  remarkable  for  its  fusi- 
form, turreted  shape,  and  for  the  high  walls  of  its  aperture, 
which  rise  to  a  level  with  the  surface  of  the  shell. 

Dr.  Storer  read  a  letter  from  J.  N.  Bates  of  Barre,  de- 
scribing a  variety  of  the  Skunk,  of  a  dark  drab  or  cinnanfion 
color,  and  destitute  of  black  hairs  ;  and  offering  a  specimen. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  exhibited  specimens  of  the  cartilage 
remaining  from  Mastodon  bones,  after  treatment  by  acid. 
He  also  detailed  some  experiments  on  Gun  cotton. 

A  communication  from  Dr.  G.  A.  Perkins  was  read,  giv- 
ing an  account  of  an  animal  captured  in  the  Caracalla  river, 
about  twenty  miles  east  of  Cape  Palmas,  West  Africa  ;  call- 
ed by  the  natives  Ne-hoo-le,  and  belonging  to  the  genus 
Manatus. 

This  animal  has  a  flattened,  cylindrical  form,  becoming  grad- 
ually smaller  at  either  end.  The  anterior  extremities  are  situ- 
ated at  about  ^th  the  length  of  the  body  from  the  nose,  resem- 
bling the  "  flippers"  of  the  sea  turtle,  but  without  any  appearance 
of  a  nail  or  claw.  These  members  are  flattened  at  the  extrem- 
ity, but  thicker  and  more  cylindrical  at  their  union  with  the  body  ; 
the  edge  of  the  flattened  extremity  was  slightly  ragged  and  the 
corners  rounded. 

The  upper  lip  was  flaccid  in  its  texture,  studded  on  its  under 
surface  with  short  and  thick  bristles,  and  projected  considerably 
over  the  lower  ;  the  angles  of  the  mouth  were  covered  with  short 
black  hairs.  The  lower  lip  extended  obliquely  downwards,  and 
formed  a  sort  of  chin  5^  inches  in  length.  The  lower  jaw  was 
narrow  and   its  edge  covered  with  a  thick  and  very  firm  elastic 


199 

black  pad.  There  were  no  incisors,  but  seven  grinders  were 
visible  in  each  side  above  and  below,  and  two  others  behind  these 
were  concealed  in  the  alveoli,  making  in  all  36  teeth.  The 
crowns  were  divided  into  two  parts,  and  each  of  these  was  un- 
equally subdivided  into  two  others,  the  larger  and  inner  having 
three  small  points  or  serrations.  The  space  between  the  molars 
of  the  two  sides  was  only  l^  inch,  which  was  filled  by  a  tongue 
resembling  somewhat  that  of  a  parrot. 

The  eye  measured  ^  inch  from  angle  to  angle,  and  when  clos- 
ed its  position  could  not  readily  be  detected.  The  nostrils  were 
situated  about  three  inches  from  the  edge  of  the  upper  lip,  one 
and  a  quarter  inches  apart,  of  a  somewhat  triangular  form  and  of 
a  size  sufficient  to  admit  a  man's  finger.  No  external  ear  or 
meatus  was  detected. 

The  tail  was  flattened  and  fan-like,  and  in  length  nearly  one- 
fourth  that  of  the  whole  body.  The  skin  was  of  a  light  lead 
color,  fully  one  inch  in  thickness,  exceedingly  tough,  and  the 
cuticle  and  rete  mucosum  easily  separating.  The  whole  body 
was  sparsely  covered  with  short  white  hairs  about  one  and  a  half 
inches  apart.  Between  the  skin  and  the  muscles  was  a  layer  of 
cellular  membrane  filled  with  a  white  fat  or  oil,  and  which  on  the 
belly  was  three  inches  thick. 

The  mamma)  were  situated  just  beneath  the  posterior  edge  of 
the  paddle  or  "  flipper."  The  anus  was  two  feet  ten  inches 
from  the  extremity  of  the  tail,  and  five  and  a  half  inches  behind 
the  vulva.  The  stomach  and  intestines  were  filled  with  a  vege- 
table substance  resembling  grass  or  the  bark  of  young  twigs,  in 
the  various  stages  of  digestion. 

The  lungs  were  not  distinctly  lobed,  and  no  septum  like  the 
diaphragm  noticed,  dividing  the  cavity  of  the  thorax  from  that  of 
the  peritoneum.* 

Dr.    Perkins's   communication    was  accompanied    with 
drawings,  and  specimens  of  hair  and  cuticle. 

*  The  animal  above  described  by  Dr.  Perkins,  differs  from  any  of  the  species 
of  Manatee  liiiherto  noticed,  in  the  number  of  the  teeth,  which  are  thirty-six, 
(Cuvier  enumerating  only  thirty-two  in  the  adult,)  and  in  the  absence  of  nails  on 
the  anterior  extremities.  If  the  observation  with  regard  to  the  deficiency  of  the 
diaphragm  is  correct,  it  would  indicate  the  existence  of  a  peculiarity  hitherto  un- 
noticed in  the  class  of  mammals.  As  shown  by  Ur.  Perkins's  drawings,  the  nose 
is  much  sharper  and  longer  than  in  the  described  species.  It  may  be  named  Ma- 
natua  nasiUua.  J.  W. 


200 

Messrs.  Horace  Gray,  Jr.  and  Charles  C.  Sheafe  were 
elected  members  of  the  Society. 

Dr.  William  Henry  Thayer  was  nominated  as  a  member 
of  the  Society,  by  Dr.  Bacon. 


January  20,  1847. 

Dr.  Storer,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Gould  gave  descriptions  of  the  following  Expedition 
Shells  of  the  genera  Achatinella  and  Helicina. 

AcHATiNELLA  MARMORATA.  Testa  oblongo-ovata,  coloribus 
castaneis,  cinereis,  et  albidis  marmorata,  leviter  striata,  imperfo- 
rata  :  spira  acuta,  anfr.  6  convexis,  superne  sub-tabulatis,  ultimo 
magno,  ventricoso:  apertura  ovata  ;  peristomate  simplici,  mo- 
dice  evaso  ;  plica  columellari  alba,  compressa,  fere  transversa, 
vaide  exstante.  Long.  |,  lat.  ^  poll.  Hob.  Haleakala  Moun- 
tains, Maui,  Sandwich  Islands. 

A  large  ventricose  species,  readily  distinguished  by  its  varie- 
gated coloring. 

Achatinella  ellipsoidea.  Testa  solida,  ellipsoidea,  Isevis, 
epidermide  luteo  interdum  fusco  zonato  induta  :  spira  anfr.  6, 
convexiusculis ;  sutura  impressa  :  apertura  parva,  angusta ; 
peristomate  acuto,  nigro;  plica  columellari  fere  transversa,  tenui. 
Lat.  /^,  alt.  -j^o  poll.     Hah.  Maui. 

Closely  allied  to  A.  microsfovia,  which  has  a  thickened  lip, 
and  a  more  dead,  striated  surface. 

Achatinella  acuminata.  Testa  parva,  elongata,  turrita,  lu- 
cida,  glaberrima,  nitida,  succinea  ;  spira  elevala,  anfr.  6  obliquis, 
convexiusculis,  ultimo  trientes  duo  longitudinis  equante  :  aper- 
tura angusta,  sub-elliptica,  peristomate  albido,  incrassato,  prorsum 
arcuato  ;  columella  truncata,  sed  vix  plicata.  Long.  ^^,  lat.  ^ 
poll.     Hab.  Kauai,  Sandwich  Islands. 

More  elongated,  and  with  more  oblique  whorls  than  other  spe- 
cies. In  its  form,  color  and  clearness,  it  may  be  compared  with 
Fhysa  hypnorum. 


201 

The  clear,  delicate  species  like  this,  with  the  mere  semblance 
of  a  columellar  fold,  may  properly  constitute  a  distinct  group,  to 
which  the  name  Leptachatina  [lenTog  and  Achatina)  might  be 
given, 

AcHATiNELLA  CEREALTS.  Testa  parva,  elongata,  cylindraceo- 
conica,  impolita,  cinereo-castanea  :  spira  obtusa,  anfr.  T-8  planu- 
latis,  ultimo  trientem  longitudinis  vix  superante  :  apertura  parva, 
lunata,  quadrantem  longitudinis  adequans  ;  peristomate  simplici, 
intus  incrassato  ;  plica  columellaii  obsoleta,  anfractu  penultimo 
callo  induto.     Long,  f ,  lat.  ^  poll.      Hab.  Waianai,  Oahu. 

In  size,  form  and  color  it  resembles  Bulimus  hordeaceus,  but 
it  is  still  more  slender. 

AcHATiNELLA  GUTTULA.  Tcsta  parva,  tenuis,  lucida,  rotunda> 
to-ovata,  succinea,  interdum  castaneo  zonata  :  spira  obtusa, 
anfr.  6  convexiusculis  ;  ultimo  tumido,  dimidiam  longitudinis 
superante.  Apertura  parva,  lunata;  peristomate  albo,  incrassato, 
ad  basim  valde  truncato;  columella  curta,  plica  parva  instructa, 
ad  anfractum  penultimum  callo  induta.  Long.  -^-,  lat.  -fQ  poll. 
Hah.  Maui,  Sandwich  Islands. 

One  of  the  smallest,  and  proportionally  the  shortest  of  the 
group,  its  length  being  but  little  greater  than  its  breadth.  It  is 
much  more  ventricose  and  less  solid  than  A.  accincfa,  Mighels. 

Helicina  fulgora.  Testa  parva,  lenticularis,  acute  carinata, 
glabra,  dilute  castanea,  lineolis  radiantibus  angulato-flexuosis, 
prope  suturam  et  ad  carinam  dilatatis,  picta  :  spira  depresso- 
conica,  acuta  ;  anfr.  5-6  planatis  :  apertura  lata,  semilunaris  ; 
peristomate  reflexo,  flavido,  ad  basim  rectangulari  ;  columella 
recta,  callo  modico  albido  induta.  Lat.  -^^^  alt.  ^^^  poll.  Hah. 
Islands  of  Upolu  and  Manua,  among  bananas. 

This  species,  with  H.  laciniosa,  and  EL  musiva,  belons;  to  the 
same  group  with  IL  flammea,  Quoy.  These  are  smaller,  and 
more  globular;  the  first  has  no  reflected  lip  and  the  second  no 
radiations  beneath. 

Helicina  musiva.  Testa  parva,  solidula,  sub-globosa,  polita, 
rufo-viridis,  supra  lineolis  flexuosis  albidis  radiata :  spira  anfr.  4 
rotundatis  :  apertura  lunata;  peristomate  reflexo,  albido,  ad  ba- 
sim rectangulari  ;  columella  recta.  Lat.  ^^,  alt.  y^g-  poll.  Hah. 
Islands  of  Manua  and  Upolu,  among  plantains. 


202 

Closely  allied  to  the  preceding,  but  smaller,  more  globular, 
not  carinated,  and  destitute  of  radiated  coloring  beneath. 

Helicina  trochlea.  Testa  minuta,  trochiformis,  supra  cine- 
rea,  costis  acutis  volventibus  3  vel  4  (intervallis  concavis,  scabro- 
sis)  cincta,  infra  convexa,  polita,  citrina  :  spira  anfr.  4,  ultimo  ad 
peripheriam  bicarinato  :  apertura  sub-trigona  ;  peristomate  levlter 
reflexo ;  columella  ad  basim  angulata,  callo  copioso  induta. 
Lat.  ■^,  alt.  ^%  poll.     Hab.  Matea  Island. 

It  has  the  size  and  nearly  the  form  of  H.  rupestris,  Pfeif.,  and 
is  distinct  from  all  others  by  its  well-marked,  sharp,  revolving 
ribs. 

Helicina  multicolou.  Testa  parva,  solidula,  conico-globosa, 
tenuissime  striata,  citrina,  interdum  fusco-fasciata,  vel  omnino 
fusco-rubra,  subtus  convexa  :  spira  anfr.  4  convexiusculis,  ultimo 
ad  peripheriam  rotundato ;  sutura  impressa:  apertura  lunata, 
lata  ;  peristomate  simplici,  acuto,  ad  basim  obtuse  angulato  ;  colu- 
mella expansa,  callo  copioso  induta.  Lat.  ;^^g-,  alt.  y'(j  poll.  Hah. 
Tongataboo. 

A  very  delicate  species,  and  one  of  the  smallest  known,  and 
principally  remarkable  for  its  variable  coloring. 

Helicina  uberta.  Testa  parva,  solida,  sub-globosa,  Irevis, 
dilute  citrina;  spira  anfr.  4;  sutura  impressa:  apertura  parva, 
semilunaris,  extrinsecus  constricta ;  peristomate  simplici,  vix 
reflexo  ;  columella  callo  flavo  copiosissimo,  baud  appresso,  in- 
duta.    Lat.  -^^^  alt.  ^\  poll.     Hah.  Maui,  and  Qahu  Mountains. 

Very  remarkable  for  the  abundant  golden  yellow  callus  which 
forms  a  tongue-like  projection  across  the  base  of  the  shell. 

Helicina  beryllina.  Testa  solidula,  depresso-conica,  infra 
convexa,  ad  peripheriam  obtuse  angulata,  polita,  albido-virens  : 
spira  anfr.  5  planulatis,  ultimo  cito  crescente  ;  sutura  linear!  : 
apertura  magna,  transverse  semi-elliptica  ;  peristomate  simplici  ; 
callo  columellari  late  expanse.  Lat.  -},  alt.  f  poll.  Hah.  Feejee 
Islands. 

Rather  large  as  to  size,  and  remarkable  for  its  delicate  beryl- 
green  tint  and  polished  surface.  The  outer  whorl  enlarges  very 
rapidly.     In  form  it  resembles  II.  si?)iiHs,  Sowb. 

Helicina   pallida.     Testa   lenticularis,  solidiuscula,  luteo-ci- 


203 

nerea,  inequaliter  striata,  epidermide  tenuissima  induta  :  spira 
depressa;  anfr.  5  acute  carinatis,  planatis  :  apertura  semilunaris, 
ad  columellam  callosa  ;  labro  rnodice  reflexo.  Lat.  -j^j,  alt.  ^'V 
poll.     Hah.    Feejee  Islands. 

Resembles  somewhat  H.  miniata,  hesson,  which  is  more  solid, 
polished,  lip  simple,  suture  double.  In  shape  and  color  it  is  like 
H.  oxystoma.  Gray,  but  is  smaller,  and  the  lip  not  angular  at  the 
carina. 

Dr.  Storer  read  an  interesting  letter  from  Dr.  Forsyth  of 
Chelsea,  on  the  several  varieties  of  Trout,  that  inhabit  the 
brook  or  the  sea,  observed  by  him  at  Sandwich,  on  Cape 
Cod  ;  describing  the  peculiarities  of  each,  with  anecdotes 
of  the  mode  of  capture,  habits,  &.c. 

Dr.  Cabot  called  attention  to  a  vegetable  specimen  re- 
ceived  from  Dr.  Cragin,  with  the  following  memorandum. 

"The  remains  of  a  twig,  having  originally  large  green  leaves, 
which,  instead  of  decomposing  and  decaying  in  the  usual  way  of 
dead  leaves,  are,  not  unfrequently,  found  in  this  state  in  the 
woods  of  Surinam." 

It  was  committed  to  Mr.  Teschemacher. 

Dr.  Cabot  also  gave  notice  of  the  receipt  from  Dr.  Cra- 
gin of  twenty-four  Bird  Skins,  and  five  Birds  in  spirits,  all 
of  which  were  new  to  our  Cabinet,  and  he  thought  many  of 
them  undescribed  species.  There  were  also  jars  of  Rep- 
tiles, &c.  The  thanks  of  the  Society  were  voted  to  Dr. 
Cragin. 

The  use  of  the  Hall  of  the  Society  was  voted  to  Dr.  Wy- 
man,  for  a  course  of  lectures  which  he  proposes  to  give  in 
the  ensuing  spring ;  with  liberty  to  use  such  of  the  speci- 
mens as  he  may  require  for  the  same. 

Dr.  William  Henry  Thayer  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Society. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBKARY. 

Report  on  the  Season  of  1846,  published  by  request  of  the 


204 

Middlebury  County  Agricultural  Society.  By  James  Barratt. 
8vo.  pamph.     Middletown,  Conn.     From  the  Author. 

Essay  upon  the  Wheat  Fly,  and  some  species  allied  to  it. 
8vo.  pamph.     Albany,  1846.     By  Asa  Fitch.     Author. 

Silliman's  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts,  No.  7,  for 
January,  1847.     Editors. 

Fourth  Bulletin  of  the  National  Institute.  8vo.  pamph.  Feb- 
ruary, 1845  to  November,  1846.     National  Institute. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History,  No.  121,  for  De- 
cember, 1846,  and  Nos.  122  and  123,  for  January,  1847.  8vo. 
pamph.      Courtis  Fund. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.  Parts  32  and  33.  London.  Audu- 
bon Fund. 


February  3,  1847. 
Dr.  Storer,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

The  following  species  of  Cyclostoma,  from  the  collection 
of  the  Exploring  Expedition,  were  presented  by  Dr.  Gould. 

Cyclostoma  ttara.  Testa  solida,  turbinata,  rudis,  distorta, 
sordide  alba,  late  umbilicata  :  spira  anfr.  5  laxis,  rotundatis, 
spiraliter  liratis,  supernis  undulatis ;  inter  liros  lineis  incremen- 
talibus  conferte  clathratis :  apertura  circularis,  peristomate  sim- 
plici.     Lat.  f,  alt.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Upolu. 

This  rather  large  specie?  stands  at  the  head  of  a  group  of  rude 
and  very  variable  species  from  the  Pacific  Islands.  They  have 
a  bony  structure,  are  coarsely  indented,  and  grooved  spirally, 
often  have  the  whorls  nearly  disjoined,  and  the  umbilicus  so 
large  as  to  approximate  to  Solarium. 

Cyclostoma  strigatum.  Testa  solida,  orbiculato-conica,  pal- 
lide  beryllina,  supra  costulis  cingulata,  infra  sub-planulala,  um- 
bilico  ample  et  carina  acuta  impendente  limitato  perforata  : 
spira  anfr.  5  convexis,  sutura  bene  discretis,  ultimo  propc  aper- 
turam  despecto,  fere  disjuncto  :  apertura  circularis  ;  peristomate 
simplici,  everso,  acuto.     Lat  ^^g,  alt.  fV  poll.     Hah.  Upolu. 

Not  half  so  large  as  the  preceding,  and  may  be  known  by  its 


205 

uniform  fluting,  its  sub-globose  form,  its  plain,  flattened  base, 
and  ample  tunnel-shaped  umbilicus,  margined  by  an  overhang- 
ing carina. 

Cyclostoma  flicatum.  Testa  parva,  solida,  rudis,  pyrami- 
data,  cinereo-virens,  plicis  confertis  obliquis  rugata,  et  striis 
minutis  volvenlibus  cincta  :  spira  acuta,  anfr.  6  rotundatis  et 
sutura  bene  discretis,  ultimo  ad  peripheriam  rotundato  ;  infra 
convexa  et  umbilico  modico  acute  marginato  perforata  :  apertu- 
ra  circularis  ;  peritremate  simplici.  Lat.  f ,  alt.  f  poll.  Hab. 
Upolu. 

Differs  from  the  preceding  in  its  more  elevated,  acutely  coni- 
cal form,  its  plaited  whorls  without  prominent  revolving  lines, 
its  rounded  periphery  and  base,  and  its  more  contracted  umbili- 
cus. The  young  are  discoidal,  without  folds,  but  with  somewhat 
nodular  spiral  lines  and  bright  beryl-green  color. 

Cyclostoma  obligatum.  Testa  parva,  crassa,  sub-globosa, 
cinerea,  arete  perforata,  utrinque  sulcis  et  costulis  acutis  sub- 
crenulatis  equalibus  cincta,  et  lineis  incrementi  subtilissimis 
striata  :  spira  acuta,  anfr.  5  rotundatis  :  apertura  parva,  ovata  ; 
peristomate  simplici,  crasso.     Lat.  y^^,  alt.  f  poll.     Hah.  Matea. 

Still  smaller  than  C.  rugatum,  and  remarkable  for  its  solid 
structure,  its  coarse  alternate  ridges  and  grooves,  and  its  small 
ovate  aperture.  It  looks  not  unlike  some  specimens  o{  Littorina 
rudis. 

Cyclostoma  diatretu3I.  Testa  planorboidea,  albido-cornea, 
supra  costis  distantibus,  ad  intervallos  cincinne  clathratis,  angu- 
lata,  late  umbilicata  :  spira  planulata,  anfr.  4  cylindraceis,  rapi- 
de  crescentibus,  prope  suturam  decliventibus  :  apertura  circu- 
laris;  peristomate  simplici.  Lat.  |,  alt.  |  poll.  Hab.  Sandal- 
wood Bay,  Feejee  Islands. 

Answers  very  nearly  to  the  description  of  C.  orbcUa,  Lk.  The 
whorls  increase  more  rapidly,  the  costae  are  more  distant  above, 
and  the  umbilicus  is  less  broad  and  open. 

Cyclostoma  roseum.  Testa  parva,  solida,  elevato-conica, 
glabra,  pallide  rosea  :  spira  acuta,  anfr.  6  convexiusculis,  supra 
arete  tabulatis  ;  sutura  bene  impressa  :  apertura  spiram  baud 
equans,  ovata  ;  peristomate  eversa,  acuta  ;  fissura  umbilicali  costa 
circumambiente  finita.    Lat.  |,  alt.  ^^  poll.    Hab.  Feejee  Islands. 


206 

This  shell,  with  several  others  from  the  Pacific  Islands,  forms 
a  group  characterized  by  their  slender,  elevated'form,  and  the  rib 
which  circumscribes  the  umbilical  region.  It  is  more  deeply 
and  uniformly  colored  than  C.  ruiens,  Quoy,  which  is  also 
smaller,  thinner,  and  has  a  much  larger  umbilicus. 

Cyclostoma  terebrale.  Testa  parva,  turrita,  acuminata, 
flavida  vel  dilute  cornea,  laevigata,  umbilico  rimato  circumvallato 
perforata  :  spira  elevata,  acuta,  anfr.  6-8  convexiusculis,  antice 
sub-angulatis,  sesc  partim  oblegentibus  ;  sutura  impressa ;  aper- 
tura  sub-rotunda,  postice  angularis,  campanulata  ;  perislomate 
simplici,  anfractui  penultimo  laie  adnato.  Lat.  y^jj,  alt.  |-  poll. 
Hab.  Taheiti  and  Eimeo. 

Distinguished  from  allied  species  by  its  acuminated  spire,  an- 
gular, imbricated  whorls  and  expanded  aperture.  It  bears  a 
general  resemblance  to  Pupafallax,  Say. 

Cyclostoma  vallatum.  Testa  parva,  solida,  elongato-conica, 
lucida,  fusco-cornea  :  spira  anfr.  6  convexis,  sub-angulatis,  ulti- 
mo costa  valida  umbilicnm  ambiente  munito  ;  sutura  profunda  : 
apertura  oblique  ovata  ;  peristomate  continuo,  simplici,  campan- 
ulato.     Lat.  ^,  alt.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Tongataboo. 

Cyclostoma  scitulum.  Testa  parva,  elongato-conica,  tenuis, 
rufo-cornea,  striis  incrementi  tenuibus  solum  insculpta,  arete 
umbilicata :  spira  elevata,  anfr.  6-7  rotundatis,  supernis  sub- 
angulatis  ;  sutura  profunda  :  apertura  rotundato-ovata,  parva, 
trientem  longltudinis  adequans;  peristomate  simplici,  pallido. 
Long,  -i,  lat.  y^jj  poll.     Hab.  Taheiti  and  Eimeo,  Manua. 

Almost  exactly  like  Amnicola  Sayana^  Anth.  It  is  larger 
and  more  ventricose  than  C.  vallatum,  and  is  distinguished  from 
C.  terebrale  by  its  less  slender  form  and  unexpanded  lip. 

Dr.  Cabot  stated  that  two  specimens  of  the  Cinereous 
Owl  had  been  procured  lately,  by  Prof.  Agassiz.  One  was 
shot  in  Vermont,  the  other  in  Cambridge. 

Mr.  S.  L.  Bigelow  read  a  paper  on  the  Trout  of  Monad- 
nock  Pond,;  giving  details  of  their  habits,  as  observed  by 
himself,  and  anecdotes  of  the  different  modes  of  capture,  &-c. 

Dr.  Storer  submitted   the   following  Resolutions,    which 


207 

were  unanimonsly  adopted  ;  and  it  was  voted  that  a  copy 
thereof  be  left  at  the  Library  room,  to  receive  the  signatures 
of  members. 

Resolved,  That  the  Society  present  to  Professor  Agassiz  their 
heartfelt  thanks  for  the  gratification  and  instruction  received  by 
its  members  during  his  late  course  of  lectures  on  the  "  Plan  of 
Creation." 

They  would  assure  him  that  his  lectures  have  given  an  impe- 
tus to  the  study  of  Natural  History,  such  as  has  never  before 
been  felt  in  this  community  ;  and  which,  while  they  have  excited 
the  curiosity  and  called  forth  the  admiration  of  the  public,  have 
more  than  realized  the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  this  scien- 
tific Society. 

While,  as  a  body,  we  would  thus  tender  our  acknowledgment 
to  the  liberal  naturalist  and  enlightened  philosopher,  we  beg  him 
to  accept  our  individual  esteem  and  friendship. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Transactions  of  the  Linnaean  Society,  Vol.  XIX.  Parts  2,  3,  4  ; 
Vol.  XX.  Parts  1  to  4.  London,  1843  to  1846.  From  the  Lin- 
ncean  Society. 

Proceedings  of  Linnaean  Society.  Pages  89-304.  January, 
1841  to  May,  1846.     8vo.  London.     LinncBan  Society. 

James  D.  Dana  on  the  Origin  of  Continents.  8vo.  pamph. 
1846.     Aullior. 

James  D.  Dana  on  Zoophytes.  No.  3.  8vo.  pamph.  1846. 
Autlior. 

Report  of  the  Trees  and  Shrubs  growing  naturally  in  the  For- 
ests of  Massachusetts.  Published  by  the  Legislature.  8vo. 
Boston,  1847.     From  G.  B.  Emerson. 


February  IT,  1847. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Mr.  S.  L.  B'gelow,  by  request,  read  the  paper  on  the 
Trout  of  Monadnock  Pond,  which  was  submitted  at   the 


208 

last  meeting ;  and  it  was  referred  to  the  Publishing  Com- 
mittee. 

Dr.  Gould  read  interesting  extracts  from  a  letter  lately 
received  from  Rev.  F.  Mason,  of  Tavoy,  accompanying 
valuable  contributions  for  the  Cabinet,  and  giving  many  in- 
teresting details  relating  to  the  habits  of  the  animals  sent. 
The  specimens  presented  were,  the  head  and  portions  of  the 
Skin  of  a  Python,  Horns  of  the  Muntjak  and  Rusa  Deer, 
Pveptiles,  Insects,  Plants,  Shells,  and  various  other  articles. 

Dr.  G.  also  read  descriptions  of  four  species  of  Trunca- 
tella  from  the  Collection  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

Truncatella  aurantia.  Testa  parva,  decollata,  conico- 
cylindracea,  aurantia,  sub-perforata,  longitudinaliter  confertim 
clathrata  ;  clathris  elevatis,  rectis,  numero  ad  40  in  singulis  an- 
fractibus:  spira  anfr.  5  convexis :  apertura  obliqua,  ovata ; 
peristomate  albo,  continuo,  reflexo.  Long.  y%,  lat.  yV  poll. 
Hah.  Mangsi  Island,  Borneo. 

Its  principal  characters  are  its  large  size,  very  convex  whorls, 
and  very  numerous  bars.  T.  CarihbcBorum,  Sowb.  is  often  of 
the  same  color,  but  is  more  robust,  the  whorls  less  convex  and 
the  bars  less  numerous  and  less  elevated. 

Truncatella  Vitiana.  Testa  decollata,  conico-cylindracea, 
solidula,  flavido-cinerea  ;  spira  anfr.  superstitibus  4-5  planiuscu- 
lis,  costulis  subrectis,  elevatis,  obtusis  ad  30  clathratis  :  apertura 
obliqua,  rotundato-elliptica  ;  peristomate  expanso,  continuo,  an- 
fractui  penultimo  baud  adnato,  costa  marginato  quse  postice  ad 
suturam  producta  est;  operculum  laminatum.  Long,  j^^,  lat. 
yij  poll.     Hah.  Feejee  Islands. 

One  of  the  largest  species,  though  it  varies  greatly  in  size. 
It  is  especially  distinguished  by  the  peculiar  mode  in  which  the 
lip  forms  its  junction  posteriorly.  The  bars  also  become  fused 
posteriorly,  so  that  the  intervening  flutings  do  not  always  reach 
the  suture.  It  differs  from  T.  aurantia  in  color,  is  more  solid, 
and  the  bars  are  less  numerous. 

Truncatella  porrecta.  Testa  parva,  elongata,  sub-cylin- 
drica,   decollata,   albida  ;  spira   anfr.    superstitibus    4  convexis. 


209 

clathris  humilibus  acutis  ad  16  instructis,  ad  intervallos  minutis- 
sime  et  longitudinaliter  striatis  :  aperlura  rotundato-lunata,  ab  an- 
fractu  penultimo  late  sejiincta  ;  peristomale  continuo,  exlrorsum 
expanse :  operculum  laminis  arrectis  radianlibus  eccenlricis 
ornatum.     Lat.  -^%^  alt.  ^  poll.      Hub.  Tnhclu. 

The  distinguishing  marks  are,  its  slender  form,  unusually- 
convex  whorls,  and  the  protrusion  of  the  last  whorl. 

Trtjncatella  rostrata.  Testa  parva,  conico-cylindracea, 
nitida,  decollala,  incarnala,  oblique  clathrata  ;  clathris  ad  12 
robustis :  spira  anfr.  5  convexiusculis  :  apertura  parva,  oblique 
ovata;  peristomate  continuo,  crasso,  albido,  duplici,  reflexo. 
Lat.  ^(y,  alt.  ^jj  poll.     Hah.  Rio  Janeiro. 

In  size  and  color  it  is  much  like  T.  Cumingiana,  Adams, 
which  is  still  smaller,  has  only  8  bars,  which  are  whitish,  more 
elevated  and  acute.  The  secondary  lip  gives  the  base  of  the 
shell,  when  viewed  in  profile,  a  rostrated  appearance. 

Dr.  Storer  submitted  a  letter  from  A.  W.  Chapman  of 
Apalachicola,  Florida,  accompanying  a  package  of  Florida 
Plants,  which  "  he  desires  to  present  to  the  Society,  in  re- 
turn for  its  Proceedings  and  selections  from  its  Journal, 
which  he  has  from  time  to  time  received  from  its  members, 
and  read  with  much  satisfaction." 

The  plants  were  committed  to  Mr.  Teschemacher. 

Mr.  Edward  Phillips  was  nominated  for  election  as  a 
member  of  the  Society,  by  B.  A.  Gould,  Esq. 


March  3,  1847. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Gould  presented  a  paper,  furnished  for  the  Journal, 
by  Prof.  Dewey  of  Williams  College,  being  a  notice  of  a 
work  entitled  "  Symbolae  Caricologicae  ad  synonymiam  Ca- 

PROCEEDINGS  B.  S.  N.  H.  19  JUNE,  1847. 


210 

ricum  extricandam,  stabilandamque,  et  affinitates  naturales 
eruendas  ;  auctore  S.  Drejer." 

It  was  referred  to  the  publishing  Committee. 

Dr.  Gould  also  read  extracts  from  a  letter  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Mason,  referring  to  specimens  of  Insects,  some  of  which  he 
had  forwarded  to  Dr.  Gould.  He  mentioned  others,  which 
he  had  not  sent,  from  an  impression  that  they  were  too 
common. 

Professor  Agassiz  remarked  on  the  mistake  which  naturalists 
commit  in  overlooking  the  common  productions  of  countries,  in 
Iheir  search  after  rarities.  It  is  the  indigenous,  and  therefore 
the  most  common,  productions  of  countries,  which  are  most  wor- 
thy of  notice  by  native  observers,  and  most  likely  to  be  interest- 
ing to  foreigners,  and  not  those  which  are  rarely  met  with.  The 
indigenous  productions  of  America,  for  instance,  are  most  the 
objects  of  curiosity  in  Europe,  and  those  of  Europe  in  America. 
The  common  household  insects  (Cimex,  Blatta,  &c.)  are  not  with- 
out interest  when  met  with  in  distant  countries,  from  the  question 
how  far  they  have  been  changed  by  domestication  and  climate ; 
which  question  can  only  be  answered  by  the  observation  of  many 
specimens,  and  for  the  means  of  such  comparison  we  might 
search  in  vain  in  our  collections. 

Count  Pourtales  exhibited  a  dissection  of  Natica  heros, 
showing  the  apparatus  by  which  he  supposed  the  animal 
perforates  shells.  Dr.  Jackson  remarked,  that  he  had  dis- 
covered slight  signs  of  the  existence  of  an  acid  in  mollusca, 
by  which  they  might  be  aided  in  effecting  the  perforations 
they  make  in  shells  and  rocks  ;  he  thought  it  possible  such 
an  acid  might  be  furnished  by  the  fluids  of  their  stomachs. 

Dr.  Gould  read  descriptions  of  the  following  species  of 
Limniada?,  from  the  Collection  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

Ancylus  aduncus.  Testa  exigua,  oblique  conica,  viridula, 
striis  radiantibus  el  striis  concentricis  decussata ;  apice  acuta, 
valde  incurvata  :  apertura  ovato-rolundata.  Long.  -^,  lat.  ^jj, 
alt.  y\j-  poll.     Hub.  Mountain  streams,  Madeira. 

Closely  resembles  A.  Jluviatilis,  and  probably  still  more 
A.  radiatus,  Guilding. 


211 

DoMBEYA  FASciATA.  Tesia  ovata,  tenuis,  ferrugineo-virens, 
fusco  spiraliter  fasciala,  creberrime  plicato-striata  et  lineis  vol- 
venlibus  minimis  decussata  ;  spira  acuta ;  anfr.  6  ventricosis  ; 
sutura  pallida,  marginata  :  apertura  semilunaris ;  columella  alba, 
plica  acuta  instructa.  Long,  f ,  lat.  |-  poll.  Hah.  River  Concon, 
Chili. 

Allied  to  Chilina  Jluctuosa^  D'Orb.,  but  is  more  regular  in  form, 
more  ventricose  and  more  solid  ;  and  is  noted  for  its  very  minute 
revolving  lines,  its  bands,  and   its  pale  suture. 

DoMBEYA  OBOVATA.  Testa  obovata,  solidula,  pallide  olivacea, 
longitudinaliter  colore  saturation  fulguralim  virgata  :  spira  curta, 
anfr.  6,  convexis,  ultimo  magno,  antrorsum  attenuate,  postice 
sub-angulato  :  apertura  magna,  elongato-ovata  ;  columella  alba, 
sub-recta,  bene  plicata  :  interior  livescens.  Long.  |^,  lat.  J-  poll. 
Hah.  Concon  River,  Chili. 

In  size  and  marking  it  is  similar  to  C.  major,  Gray,  but  is  less 
broad,  and  the  suture  much  less  impressed.  It  is  much  larger 
and  more  ventricose  posteriorly  than  C.  pulchra,  D'Orb.,  and 
much  less  pictured. 

LiMNEA  voLUTATA.  Tcsta  parva,  tenuissime  striata,  fulva,cy- 
lindraceo-ovata  :  spira  decollata  ;  anfr.  2-3  superstitibus,  obliquis, 
convexiusculis ;  sutura  modica  :  apertura  ovata,  dimidiam  testae 
superans  ;  columella  rufa,  valde  sinuata.  Long,  y^g-,  lat.  ^- poll. 
Hah.  Oahu. 

Much  smaller  than  L.  Oahuensis,  Souleyet,  and  with  less  tumid 
whorls,  sloping  gently  to  the  suture.  The  somewhat  cylindrical 
aspect  of  the  shell  is  peculiar. 

LiMNEA  LEPiDA.  Testa  gracilis,  elongata-conica,  fragilis,  di- 
lute cornea,  striis  volventibus  remotis  et  striis  incrementalibus 
undulosis  decussata  :  spira  acuminata  ;  anfr.  5  obliquis,  convexi- 
usculis:  apertura  magna,  semilunaris,  expansa  ;  plica  columellari 
pernotabili,  acuta.  Long,  f ,  lat.  ^  poll.  Hah.  Lake  Vancouver, 
Oregon. 

Allied  to  L.  pallida,  Adams,  but  is  more  delicate,  more  acute- 
ly pointed,  the  aperture  much  larger,  the  lip  expanded,  and  the 
surface  peculiarly  decussated.  The  whorls  are  much  more  ob- 
lique and  less  rounded  than  in  L.  desidiosa. 


212 

Planorbis  opercularis.  Testa  parva,  valde  depressa,  casta- 
nea,  supra  planulata ;  apice  depressa  :  subtus  convexa,  late 
umbilicata,  ad  peripheriam  marginata  et  obtuse  carinata  ;  spira 
anfr.  4,  sutura  bene  impressa  sejunctis  ;  apertura  transversa,  sub- 
rhomboidea.  Long,  -l,  lat.  -j-V  poll.  Hab.  Rio  Sacramento, 
Upper  California. 

E-esenribles  P.  exacutus,  Say,  but  is  larger,  less  connpressed  and 
less  delicate  ;  and  tbe  periphery  instead  of  being  acutely  edged, 
has  a  blunted  keel  like  P.  carinatus. 

Planorbis  vermicularis.  Testa  parva,  fornicata  :  spira  pla- 
nulata, apice  depresso,  anfr.  4,  cylindraceis,  ultimo  prope  aper- 
turam  deflexo  ;  subtus  concava ;  apertura  perobliqua,  elliptica. 
Lai.  -i,  alt.  yL.  poll.     Hah.  Interior  of  Oregon. 

About  the  size  and  form  of  P.  deflectus.  Say,  but  is  less  de- 
pressed, the  whorls  more  cylindrical,  and  not  compressed  at  the 
periphery. 

M.  P.  Wilder  was  nominated  for  election  as  a  member  of 
the  Society,  by  C.  K.  Dillaway. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Twenty-sixth  Annual  Report  of  New  York  Mercantile  Library 
Association.     8vo.  pamph.     1847.     From  the  Association. 

American  Journal  of  Agriculture  and  Science,  for  February, 
1 847.     From  the  Editors. 

W.  C.  Redfield,  on  Hurricanes  and  Northers.  8vo.  pamphlet, 
New  Haven,  1846.     From  the  Author. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  No.  124  ;  for  Fe- 
bruary, 1847.     Courtis  Fund. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.     Part  34.     Audubon  Fund. 

Calcutta  Journal  of  Natural  History.  Nos.  13,  14,  16.  8vo. 
1843-4.     Editors. 

Dana,  James  D.,  Geological  Results  of  the  Earth's  Contraction 
in  consequence  of  cooling.  8vo.  pamph.  New  Haven,  1847. 
Author. 

Silliman's  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts.  No.  8,  2d 
Series.     8vo.     New  Haven,  1847. 


213 

March  17,   1847. 
Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Cabot  exhibited  a  Sternum  and  Trachaea  of  Cygnus 
Americanus,  showing  the  curvatures  and  reduplication  of 
the  latter  organ  within  the  Sternum,  probably  having  some 
connection  with  the  voice. 

Dr.  Cabot  remarked  that  he  had  noticed,  in  dissections  of 
Waders  and  Swimming  Birds,  the  remnant  of  the  vitelline 
duct.  He  suggested  whether  this  fact  might  not  be  made 
use  of  as  a  distinctive  character  in  classification. 

Mr.  Stodder  reported  upon  some  pamphlets  of  Mr.  J.  D. 
Dana,  on  the  formation  of  Continents,  and  on  Lunar  Volca- 
noes. He  thought  the  inferences  drawn  by  the  author  from 
the  appearances  of  the  Moon's  volcanoes,  and  applied  to  the 
phenomena  of  the  structure  of  the  Earth,  w^ere  ingenious, 
and  his  hypotheses  hard  to  be  refuted ;  yet  equally  difficult 
to  be  proved. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  gave  an  account  of  the  Tertiary  of 
Maine,  stretching  along  its  coast  from  Lubec  to  Portland. 
It  is  rich  in  remains  of  Pecten  Islandicus,  Buccinum  iin- 
datum,  Mytilus  edulis,  and  other  shells,  of  which  specimens 
were  exhibited. 

Dr.  Wyman  spoke  of  a  mass  of  Lignite,  from  the  Tertia- 
ry of  Richmond,  Va.,  which,  as  first  found,  was  soft  and 
friable,  so  that  a  blunt  stick  might  be  thrust  into  its  sub- 
stance. But  after  a  few  hours  exposure  to  the  atmosphere, 
it  hardened  and  exhibited  a  conchoidal  fracture  resembling 
that  of  coal.  It  was  embedded  in  a  blue  clay,  mixed  with 
sand. 

Dr.  Storer  read  a  letter  from  F.  B.  E.  Browne,  M.  D.,  of 
Apalachicola,  Fa.,  accompanying  two  specimens  of  Amphi- 
uma  means,  and  giving  some  account  of  its  habits  and  ap- 


214 

pearance.  The  specimen  itself  was  not  yet  received.  Dr. 
Storer  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Dr.  F.  B.  E.  Browne 
for  this  donation,  and  to  Dr.  A.  W.  Chapman,  of  Apalachi- 
cola.  Fa.,  for  a  package  of  plants  of  that  region,  presented 
at  a  late  meeting.     Voted  accordingly. 

Dr.  Gould  read  descriptions  of  the  following  species  of 
Physa,  from  the  Collection  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

Physa  tabulata.  Testa  ovata,  sub-solida,  impolita,  fuligino- 
sa ;  spira  anfr.  4-5  ventricosis,  superne  angulato-carinatis,  late 
tabnlaiis  :  aperlura  elliptica,  dimidiam  testse  longitudinis  super- 
ans  ;  columella  albida,  vix  plicata  ;  fauce  fusco-castaneo.  Long. 
y'q,  lat.  ^(j  poll.     Hah.  New  Zealand. 

Not  to  be  mistaken  for  any  other  species.  It  is  very  much 
more  angular  than  P.  ancillaria,  and  the  keel  upon  the  angle, 
when  closely  examined,  is  found  to  be  minutely  crenu'ated. 
P.  variabilis,  Gray,  has  the  lower  instead  of  the  upper  part  of 
the  whorl  angular  and  keeled. 

Physa  gibbosa.  Testa  obovata,  tenuis,  glabrata,  luteo-cornea  : 
spira  acuminata,  anfr.  5  rotundatis,  ultimo  postice  vald^  gibboso, 
antice  altenuato  ;  apertura  angusla,  subovalis,  trientes  duae  lon- 
gitudinis adequans  ;  columella  sinuata,  callo  induta.  Long,  f, 
lat.  f  poll.     Hah.  New  South  Wales. 

The  resemblance  to  P.  ancillaria,  in  the  younger  specimens,  is 
very  striking  ;  the  older  ones  are  more  like  P.  tabulata,  but  the 
last  whorl  is  merely  gibbous  and  not  angular.  P.  Novcb  Hol- 
landicB  is  somewhat  similar,  but  is  much  more  elongated,  and 
neither  angular  nor  gibbous. 

Physa  sinuata.  Testa  parva,  ovata,  cornea,  arcuatim  striata: 
spira  acuta;  anfr.  5  rotundatis  postice  sub-angulatis ;  sutura 
profunda :  apertura  obovata,  angusta,  antice  sub-efTusa,  postice 
emarginata  ;  labro  antrorsum  arcuato  ;  columella  incrassata,  sub- 
perforata,  reflexa.     Long.  ^,  lat.  {  poll.     Hab.  Feejee  Islands. 

-Eemarkable  for  its  thickened  inner  lip,  and  for  the  advancing 
outer  lip  and  consequent  posterior  sinus  and  arched  striae  of 
growth,  found  in  no  other  species  except  P.  gibbosa. 

Physa  reticulata.    Testa  tenuis,  elongata,  ovato-conica,  fulva, 


215 

slriis  subtilissimis  decussata  :  spira  anfr.  4-5  ventricosis  ;  suturi 
per-profunda  :  apertura  obovata,  dimidiam  testae  longiiudinis  vix 
superans;  columella  rufa,  valde  plicaia.  Long,  f^jj,  lat.  /^j  poll. ; 
of  another,  long.  ^,  lat.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Sandwich  Islands. 

Remarkable  for  its  general  color,  the  color  of  the  pillar  lip,  its 
decussated  surface,  and  its  very  tumid  whorls.  Its  form  is  so 
much  like  that  of  a  reversed  Limnea,  that  I  am  strongly  inclined 
to  believe  it  to  be  one.  Probably  the  Limnea  Oahucnsis,  Sou- 
leyet,  (Voy.  de  la  Bonite,)  is  the  same  ;  but  unfortunately  the 
animal  there  given  is  so  indefinitely  figured  as  to  leave  it  doubt- 
ful whether  it  is  really  a  Limnea  or  a  Physa. 

Physa  virginea.  Testa  elongato-ovata,  tenuis,  fragilis,  lucida, 
nitida,  alba  :  spira  acuta,  anfr.  5  convexis,  postice  subangulatis  : 
apertura  elongata,  obovata,  postice  acuta;  columella  leviter  pli- 
cata.     Long,  f,   lat.  -f'g-  poll.     Hah.  Rio  Sacramento,  California. 

The  porcelain-like  structure  and  color  of  the  specimens  seems 
not  to  be  merely  the  effect  of  bleaching.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
elongated  species,  but  less  slender  than  P.  hypnorum  and  more 
like  P.  gyrina  or  P.  ricalis  in  form,  but  is  a  far  more  delicate 
shell. 

Physa  venustula.  Testa  parva,  ovata,  pellucida,  nitida,  di- 
lute cornea:  spira  elevata,  anfr.  5  ventricosis,  postice  subangu- 
latis: apertura  ovata;  columella  valida,  albida,  valde  sinuata. 
Long.  y3(y,  lat.  -^  poll.     Hah.  Lima. 

Closely  resembles  small  specimens  of  P.  heierostropha,  though 
in  size  and  texture  it  is  like  P.  fontinalis,  which  has  a  much 
shorter  spire. 

Messrs.  Edward  Phillips  and  Marshall  P.  Wilder  were 
elected  members  of  the  Society. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Audubon  and  Bachman.  Quadrupeds  of  North  America. 
Plates,  101-105.     Folio.     Suhscrihers. 

S.  G.  Morton.  Hybridity  in  Animals  and  Plants.  8vo.  pam. 
New  Haven,  1847.     Author. 

Transactions  of  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  for 
1843-6.     8vo.  pam.     Boston.      The  Society. 


216 

March  24,  1847. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

The  Vice  President  stated  that  this  special  meeting  had 
been  called  on  account  of  the  melancholy  event,  the  tidings 
of  which  had  been  received  by  the  last  steamer  from  Eng- 
land, the  death  of  our  late  President,  Amos  Einney,  Esq. 

Dr.  Storer  moved  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved^  That  the  unexpected  tidings  of  the  death  of  our  much- 
valued  friend,  Amos  Binney,  Esq.,  late  President  of  this  Society, 
fill  us  with  inexpressible  sorrow.  To  us  we  feel  that  his  loss  is 
irreparable.  One  of  the  founders  of  this  Society,  he  was  ever  its 
most  steady,  devoted,  true  friend  ;  constantly  evincing  his  interest 
by  suggesting  new  plans  for  its  advancement ;  constantly  proving 
his  sincerity  by  endeavors  to  perfect  them.  To  his  encourage- 
ment, decision,  perseverance,  we  owe,  in  no  slight  degree,  our 
present  prosperous  condition.  With  full  hearts  we  would  acknow- 
ledge our  obligations,  while  we  gratefully  cherish  his  memory. 

Prof.  Asa  Gray  offered  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  Council  be  requested  to  prepare,  or  cause 
to  be  prepared,  by  such  member  of  the  Society  as  they  may  de- 
signate for  that  purpose,  a  sketch  of  the  life  and  scientific  labors 
of  our  late  lamented  President,  to  be  read  before  the  Society  and 
published  in  its  Journal,  or  in  such  other  manner  as  the  Society 
may  direct. 

Mr.  E.  S.  Dixwell  offered  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  the  family  of  the 
deceased,  in  their  present  great  affliction  ;  and  that  the  Secretary 
be  directed  to  communicate  to  them  an  attested  copy  of  the  fore- 
going resolutions. 

The  foregoing  resolutions  being  severally  proposed  to  the 
meeting,  were  unanimously  adopted. 

Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  was  chosen  to  prepare  a  Memoir,  agree- 
ably to  the  second  Resolution. 


217 

April  7,  1847. 
Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Cabot,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee  on  the  subject  of 
procuring  a  suitable  edifice  for  the  Society,  reported  that 
the  building  in  Mason  Street,  known  as  the  Massachusetts 
Medical  College,  was  now  for  sale  at  a  reasonable  price,  and 
that  the  Committee,  after  a  thorough  examination  of  it,  were 
of  opinion  that  it  was  capable  of  being  adapted  perfectly  to 
the  wants  of  the  Society.  They  therefore  recommend  that 
it  be  purchased  and  undergo  the  necessary  repairs  and  al- 
terations, for  the  Society.  Plans  of  the  proposed  improve- 
ments were  exhibited. 

After  discussion,  Mr.  Emerson  moved  that  the  Committee 
have  authority  to  make  the  purchase,  and  cause  the  propos- 
ed alterations  to  be  made.     It  was  voted  unanimously. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  gave  notices  of  some  analyses  of 
Snow,  which  fell  in  Boston,  in  the  last  month,  made  by 
one  of  his  pupils,  Mr.  George  O.  Barnes.  The  object 
was  to  ascertain  the  quantity  of  Ammonia  brought  down 
from  the  atmosphere  by  the  snow,  which,  as  coming  from  a 
region  immediately  over  a  large  city,  might  be  expected  to 
exhibit  a  larger  quantity  than  was  found  by  Liebig  in  his 
analyses  of  snow  at  Giessen.  The  result  was  according  to 
expectation,  the  quantity,  in  100  grains  of  water,  being  1.33 
gr.  to  1.44  gr.  in  different  experiments. 

Mr.  Desor,  in  reference  to  the  analyses  of  Snow,  made 
some  remarks. 

The  existence  of  Ammonia  in  snow,  both  in  tlie  glacial  and 
the  higher  mountain  snows,  had  been  inferred,  many  years  ago, 
from  the  fact  that  several  iron  vessels  and  tools,  which  had  been 
left  during  winter  in  the  snow,  were  found  the  next  spring  free 
from  rust.     Accurate  analyses  have  since  been  made    by  Mr. 


218 

Horsford,  in  the  laboratory  of  Prof.  Liebig,  who  found  a  much 
less  proportion  than  Dr.  Jackson,  t^o^-^j-cjo-  of  weight.  M.  Desor 
observed  that  it  was  very  difficult  to  account  for  the  presence  of 
Ammonia  from  the  presence  of  the  Infusoria  in  red  snow,  and  of 
the  minute  Podurellae  (Desoria  glacialis),  though  so  abundant. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  exhibited  beautiful  Crystals,  formed  in 
a  mass  of  cinders,  which  had  lain  undisturbed  for  some 
years,  at  the  copper-works  at  Point  Shirley.  They  proved, 
on  analysis,  to  be  a  bi-sulphat  of  copper  and  zinc. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  described  an  interesting  experiment  of 
Mr.  Blake  at  the  Gas-works. 

He  placed  a  m:^ss  of  compact  felspar  in  a  crucible,  hermeti- 
cally sealed,  in  a  furnace  flue  at  the  gas-works,  where  it  was  ex- 
posed for  108  hours  to  a  uniform  temperature  considerably  below 
the  degree  necessary  for  the  fusion  of  the  mineral.  On  being 
taken  out,  it  was  found  to  be  perfectly  limpid,  and  transparent  as 
quartz  ;  showing  that  long-continued  heat,  though  not  to  a  degree 
sufficient  to  melt  the  mineral,  produces  effects  similar  to  those 
produced  by  fusion. 

Dr.  Gould  described  new  Shells,  received  from  Rev.  Mr. 
Mason,  of  Burmah,  several  of  which  had  been  furnished  by 
the  lady  of  one  of  his  associates,  Mrs.  Vinton.  He  repeated 
a  remark,  formerly  made,  that  the  forms  of  land  and  fresh 
water  shells  from  our  antipodes,  bore  a  striking  resemblance 
to  those  of  our  own  country  ;  while  those  from  intermediate 
regions  are  quite  dissimilar.  The  shells  now  received  give 
additional  confirmation  of  the  fact. 

Helix  anguina.  Testa  sinistrorsa,  distorta,  planorboidea,  gla- 
bra, fusco-castanea ;  infra  radiatim  flammulata,  vix  concava  ; 
spira  planulata,  anfr.  5^  convexiusculis,  ultimo  ad  peripheriam 
sub-angulato  ;  aperlura  despecta,  per-obliqua,  semi-elliptica,  pe- 
ristomate  rufo,  revoluto,  callo  angulato  baud  appresso,  conjuncto; 
lamella  alba  secundum  anfractum  penuUimum  intro-volvenle. 
Diam.  1,  alt.  ^  poll.  Hab.  Manko,  near  Newville,  Province  of 
Tavoy.     Presented  by  Mrs.  Vinton. 

Another  curious  reversed,  planorboid   shell,  like  H.  refuga^ 


219 

p.  72,  from  the  same  region.     It  is  larger,  less  concave,  and  pe- 
culiarly colored,  like  Steganotoma  pictum,  Troschel. 

Melania  pagodula.  Testa  crassa,  sub-rhombea,  turrita,  te- 
nuiter  striata,  fusco  castanea,  decoliata ;  spira  elevata,  conica, 
anfr.  4,  angulatis,  angulo  spinis  6  robustis  armato  ;  ultimo  antice 
sub-rostrato,  et  costulis  ad  4  cincto  :  apertura  ovata,  antrorsum 
producta,  fauce  crerulescente,  fusco  maculato.  Long,  l^-,  lt>t.  |- 
poll.  Hah.  Thoungyin  River,  a  branch  of  the  Salwen.  Pre- 
sented by  Mrs.  Vinton. 

This  remarkable  shell  is  almost  precisely  like  M.  annigera  in 
its  structure  and  proportions,  but  is  three  limes  as  large,  some- 
thing like  lo  spinosa. 

Melania  baccata.  Testa  magna,  crassa,  elongato-turrita, 
epidermide  fusco-castaneo  induta  ;  spira  decoliata,  anfr.  6  ro- 
tundatis,  plicis  longitudinalibus  et  costis  volvenlibus  triseriatim 
nodoso-decussatis,  ultimo  ad  basim  4  costato  ;  apertura  lunata, 
labio  antice  producto,  columella  aurantia  valde  arcuata ;  fauce 
coerulescente  fusco  fasciato.  Long.  2,  lat.  f  poll.  Hab.  Thoung- 
yin River.     Presented  by  Mrs.  Vinton. 

Closely  allied  to  M.  inquinata,  but  it  is  distinguished  by  its 
ranges  of  prominent  pustular  knobs  and  its  orange  columella. 

Melania  humerosa.  Testa  elongato-turrita  simplex,  viridi- 
cornea  ;  spira  derosa,  anfr.  ad  8  convexis,  prope  suturam  obso- 
lete angulatis,  lineis  tenuissimis  spiraliter  striatis,  ultimo  antice 
coslato-slriato;  apertura  sub-ovali,  anticv3  vix  effusa  ;  columella 
rotundata,  alba,  fauce  fasciatim  sub-livida.  Long.  1|-,  lat.  ^  poll. 
Hab.  Manko,  Tavoy.     Presented  by  Mrs.  Vinton. 

Allied  to  M.  Virginica  in  size  and  form,  though  somewhat 
more  conical  and  robust,  and  with  angular  whorls.  It  still  more 
nearly  resembles  M.  intermedia,  of  Von  den  Buseh. 

Melania  fluctuosa.  Testa  parva,  elongata,  sub-cylindrica, 
fulvo-cornea,  longitudinaliter  plicata,  plicis  8-10  compressis, 
acutis,  fuscescentibus :  anfr.  ad  6  (apice  derosa)  vix  convexis, 
sutura  baud  impressa  ;  apertura  parva,  ovata,  vix  effusa.  Long, 
f,  lat.  I  poll.  Hab.  Newville,  Tavoy.  Presented  by  Mrs.  Vin- 
ton. 

Allied   to   M.  plicifera,  Lea,  but  is  smaller,  more  cylindrical, 


220 

with  the  plaits  extending  to  the  base,  and  destitute  of  the  coarse 
revolving  lines. 

Neritina  capillulata.  Testa  conico-globosa,  ad  peripheri- 
am  subangulata,  fusco-viridi,  interdum  fasciata,  lineolis  capilla- 
ceis  fuscis  acute  angulatis  reticulata  ;  spira  obtusissima,  anfr.  2, 
ultimo  prope  suturam  obstricto  ;  apertura  oblique  semicirculari, 
virescente,  labro  tumido,  columella  arcuata,  obtusa,  edentula, 
striolata.     Long,  f ,  lat.  ^  poll.     Hab.  Tavoy. 

Much  like  N.  ziczac,  but  much  smaller  and  of  a  paler  green  ; 
the  aperture  is  much  lighter  colored,  and  the  zigzag  lines  are  ex- 
ceedingly delicate  and  very  acutely  angular,  not  being  distinctly 
visible  except  in  young  specimens.  It  must  be  very  much  like 
'H.Jiavovirens,  Von  den  Busch. 

Nerita  articulata.  Testa  oblique  semiglobosa,  postice 
planulata,  antice  dilatata  ;  spira  prominula,  anfr.  3,  liris  pro- 
minulis  atro-purpureis,  albo  articulatis  25-30  cinctis,  interspatiis 
latioribus  lucidis  carneolis  decussatim  striatis  :  apertura  magna 
semilunar!,  labro  acuto  atropurpureo,  callo  albo  creberrime  sulca- 
to  firmato  ;  fauce  luteo ;  labio  excavato,  extrorsum  plicato;  colu- 
mella acuta,  sinuata,  denliculis  3-4  armata.  Diam.  |^,  alt.  ^  poll. 
Hab.  Tavoy. 

Much  like  M.  lineata^  but  a  little  more  oblique  and  less  globu- 
lar ;  the  girdling  threads  are  less  numerous,  less  in  relief,  and 
distantly  articulated  with  white  ;  color  more  flesh-like ;  grooves 
on  labrum  more  numerous,  25-30  ;  spire  a  little  protruded. 

Nematdra  puncticijlata.  Testa  minula,  subrhombea,  com- 
pressa,  solida,  nitida,  pallide  virescente,  omnino  sub  lente  punc- 
ticulis  serialibus  insculpta  ;  spira  elevala,  anfr.  5  convexis,  ultimo 
permagno,  versus  aperturam  valde  contracto  ;  apertura  parva, 
dispari,  rotundato-elliptica,  tubuliformi ;  labro  simplici,  crasso, 
continuo.  Long.  -|,  diam.  f  &  ^  poll.  Hab.  Tavoy.  Present- 
ed by  Mrs.  Vinton. 

About  the  size  and  shape  of  N.  deltcB,  Benson,  but  the  aper- 
ture is  much  more  distorted,  there  is  no  approach  to  an  umbili- 
cus, and  its  punctured  surface  is  sufficiently  distinctive. 

Unio  generosus.  TestI  magna,  solida,  transversa,  oblongo- 
ovata,  inequilateral!,  antice  rotundata  et  angustata  ;  postice  obli- 


221 

quata,  subrostrata,ad  apicem  truncata  ;  margine  venlrali  arcuala, 
dorsali  recta,  adscendente  ;  umbonibus  contiguis  baud  elevatis ; 
valvis  sub-tumidis  radiatim  substrialis,  pcstice  sub-costatis,  epi- 
dermide  fuliginosa,  disco  nitido  :  denlibus  remotis  :  cardinalibus 
elongatis,  obliquis,  laminatis  :  margarita  alba  vel  salmoriacea, 
limbo  iridescente.  Long.  3f ,  lat.  1^,  alt.  2J  poll.  Hah.  New- 
ville,  Tavoy.     Mrs.  Vinton. 

The  general  form,  convexity  and  color  is  that  of  ^noc?.  Von- 
denhiischiajia,  Lea,  though  the  largest  specimens  are  more  arcu- 
ated at  base,  and  the  younger  ones  are  more  oblong,  like  U.  com- 
planatus.  The  cardinal  teeth  are  like  those  of  U.  marginalis,  a 
more  cylindrical  shell,  but  they  are  still  more  elongated. 

Dr.  Gould  offered  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  In  token  of  the  respect  in  which  we  hold  the  mem- 
ory of  our  late  President,  for  his  private  worth,  his  scientific  at- 
tainments, his  labors  for  the  promotion  of  science  generally,  and 
more  especially  for  his  long  and  sincere  devotion  to  the  interests 
of  this  Society  from  its  origin  until  his  decease  ;  that  his  son, 
Amos  Binney,  who  so  strikingly  bears  the  image,  and  who,  we 
trust,  inherits  the  virtues  and  the  tastes  of  his  father,  be  hereby 
invited  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Society,  and  to  share  with 
members  the  privileges  of  the  Library  and  Cabinet. 

Voted,  unanimously. 

Dr.  Gay,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee  raised  at  the  last 
Annual  meeting  to  consider  the  subject  of  postponing  the 
time  of  the  Annual  Address,  reported  a  recommendation, 
that  the  third  Wednesday  of  May,  being  the  next  meeting 
after  the  Annual  meeting,  be  assigned  for  that  purpose. 

It  was  so  voted. 

A  Committee  for  the  nomination  of  Officers  for  the  next 
year,  was  chosen,  consisting  of  Mr.  Bouve,  and  Drs.  Bacon 
and  Gould. 

The  Finance  Committee  were  instructed  to  take  measures, 
if  necessary,  for  the  increase  of  the  power,  granted  by  the 
charter  of  the  Society,  to  hold  real  estate  ;    and  it  was 


222 

Voted,  that  the  First  Vice  President  be  placed  on  that  Com- 
mittee in  lieu  of  the  President,  deceased. 

Dr.  Gay  announced  the  donation,  by  Francis  Alger,  Esq. 
of  two  hundred  specimens  of  Minerals,  to  be  selected  from 
his  Cabinet  by  the  Curator  of  Mineralogy. 


April  21,  1847. 
Dr.  Cabot  in  the  Chair. 


Dr.  Gould  read  descriptions  of  the  following  species  of 
Melania,  from  the  Collection  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

Melania  Cybele.  Testa  ovata,  turrita,  crassa,  fuliginosa,  epi- 
dermide  velutina  induta  ;  spira  ad  apicem  valde  erosa,  anfr. 
superstit.  ad  3  planulatis,  superne  tabulatis,  et  pinnis  curtis  acu- 
tis  arrectis  ordinatim  disposilis,  coronatis  :  apertura  angusta, 
elongato-ovalis,  poslice  angulata  ;  intus  livida.  Long.  1,  lat.  f 
poll.     Hah.  Feejees,  Navigators,  &c. 

Probably  confounded  with  M.  amarula.  That  shell  is  lighter 
colored,  shorter,  smoother  and  destitute  of  the  velvety  epidermis  : 
the  spines  are  less  numerous,  longer  and  sharper  and  stand  out 
somewhat  from  a  vertical  position  :  in  this  species  they  resemble 
mural  battlements. 

Melania  tetrica.  Testa  oblonga,  turrita,  ponderosa,  fusca, 
liris  paucis  cincta :  spira  truncata,  anfr.  superstilibus  3-4  convex- 
iusculis,  postice  sub-angulatis  et  spinis  validis  acutis  5  ad  basim 
decurrentibus  armatis,  interdum  muticis  :  sutura  profunda  :  aper- 
tura arete  elliptica  ;  intus  livida.  Long.  1^,  lat.  ^  poll.  Hab. 
Feejee  Islands. 

More  slender  than  the  preceding,  and  with  more  convex  whorls. 
It  has  nearly  the  same  form  as  M.  belUcosa,  Hinds,  but  is  larger 
and  has  fewer  spines.  It  is  especially  distinguished  by  its  few 
stout  spines  directed  outwards. 

Melania  Terpsichore.  Testa  elongato-turrita,  solidula,  oli- 
vacea,  plngis  flexuosis  fuscis  picta,  longitudinaliler  creberrime 


223 

plicata,  et  liris  elevatis  versus  basim  crescenlibus  cincta  :  spira 
elevata,  ad  apicern  erosa,  anfr.  4  poslice  subangulatis  :  apertura 
angusta,  elliptica,  tesla3  longitudinis  trientem  adequans  ;  intus 
ccerulescens.  Long.  1,  lat.  f  poll.  Hab.  Feejee  and  Samoa 
Islands. 

Of  the  same  group  as  the  preceding,  but  more  slender,  and 
remarkable  for  the  lyrate  appearance  produced  by  its  numerous 
folds,  decussated  by  revolving  lines,  one  of  which,  more  conspi- 
cuous than  the  rest,  forms  a  sort  of  beaded  angle. 

Melaivia  corolla.  Testa  parva,  ovato-conica,  fusca  :  spira 
acuta,  anfr.  ad  6  ventricosis,  postice  constrictis,  angulo  submedi- 
ano  aculeos  numerosos  ordinatim  radiantes  gerente,  instructis ; 
sutura  baud  impressa  :  apertura  rotundata ;  labiis  continuis. 
Lat.  y-j,  alt.  Y^y-  poll.     Hah.  Banks'  Peninsula,  New  Zealand. 

This  beautiful  little  shell,  somewhat  resembling  M.  spinulosa, 
is  readily  recognized  by  its  coronets  of  numerous  small  radiating 
prickles  on  the  angles  of  the  whorls. 

Melania  lutosa.  Testa  crassa,  elongato-turrita,  striis  tenui- 
bus  cincta,  fLisco-castanea,et  crusta  Isevi,  lutosa,  crassa,  rubigino- 
sa,  omnino  obtecta  :  spira  anfr.  7  superstitibus  convexis  ;  sutura 
profunda  :  apertura  obovata,  vix  effusa,  peristomate  rufo  limbato  ; 
fauce  livido  :  operculum  crassum,  osseum,  subspirale.  Lat.  J-, 
alt.  If  poll.     Hab.  Upolu. 

This  simple  and  graceful  shell,  resembling  in  form  M.  Virgi- 
nica  or  M.  decoJIala.,  is  easily  distinguished  by  the  dark  brown 
margin  of  the  aperture.  It  is  remarkable  for  the  thick  crust  of 
mud  with  which  it  is  covered,  and  which  is  so  smooth  and  brown 
externally,  as  to  seem  like  the  natural  surface  of  the  shell.  A 
glance  at  the  tip  reveals  its  real  nature. 

Melania  corporosa.  Testa  subulato-conica,  decollata,  niti- 
da,  olivaceo-castanea,  juxta  suturam  cerina,  striis  plerumque  mini- 
mis decussata  :  spira  anfr.  ad  5  convexiusculis  ;  sutura  profunda 
et  marginata  :  apertura  angusta,  pyriformis,  antice  vix  producta  ; 
intus  livida ;  columella  albida.  Long.  1^,  lat.  J-  poll.  Hab. 
Taheiti. 

Very  nearly  the  same  shape  as  M.  lutosa,  but  is  distinguished  by 
its  clean,  shining,  minutely  reticulated  surface,  its  pale  sutural  re- 
gion, and  its  narrower  aperture,  destitute  of  the  deep  brown  limbus. 


224 

Melania  Scipio.  Testa  magna,  solida,  lanceolata,  truncata, 
picea,  sursum  rufescens  et  flammulis  longitudinalibus  fuscis  ma- 
gis  ac  magis  picta  (juvenibus  valde  subulatis  et  epidermide 
tomentoso  quoque  indulis)  creberrime  et  minutissime  decussato- 
striata  :  spira  anfr.  superstitibus  4-5  (integris  12-15)  planulatis, 
obliquis ;  sutura  impressa  et  marginata  :  apertura  triangularis, 
valde  effusa,  postice  sub-canaliculata  ;  regione  columellari  tumi- 
do  ;  columella  planulata,  acuta,  alba  :  intus  plumbea.  Long.  1^, 
(integer  3)  lat.  ^  poll.     Hab.  Samoa  and  Feejee  Islands. 

About  the  size  and  form  of  M.  funiculus,  Quoy,  but  has  a 
longer  and  more  acute  aperture.  M.  aspirans,  Hinds,  is  still 
larger  and  more  solid,  less  convex  whorls,  a  darker  and  less  vari- 
egated surface.  Besides  its  dark  pitchy  color  changing  towards 
the  tip  to  flammulated  fawn  color  covered  by  a  velvety  epidermis, 
it  may  be  known  by  its  minute,  close  set  revolving  lines. 

Melania  Vainafa.  Testa  elongato-conica,  leevis,  badia  (ju- 
nioribus  herbaceis  et  lineolis  flexuosis  fuscis  pictis)  :  spira  decol- 
lata,  anfr.  4-5  superstitibus,  subplanulatis,  ultimo  plerumque  striis 
distantibus  cincto ;  sutura  marginata  :  apertura  ovata,  testse  qua- 
drantem  sequans.  Long.  J,  lat.  f'^  poll.  iZai.  Falls  of  Vainafa, 
Upolu. 

It  has  the  form  and  general  color  of  small,  smooth  specimens 
of  M.  Virginica,  but  the  whorls  are  more  flattened,  and  the  front 
of  the  aperture  is  more  rounded. 

Melania  scitula.  Testa  gracilis,  elongato-conica,  decollata, 
epidermide  piceo  induta  :  spira  anfr.  superstitibus  ad  5  valde  con- 
vexis,  supernis  longitudinaliter  plicatis,  infernis  spiraliter  liratis, 
prsecipue  juxta  suturam  et  ad  basim  :  apertura  obovata,  quadran- 
tem  testae  baud  aquans,  antice  aliquanto  producta  ;  fauce  livido. 
Long.  I-,  lat.  I  poll.     Hab.  Upolu. 

It  has  the  form  and  size  of  M.  ahjecta,  Hald.,  from  Alabama, 
also  of  M.  truncatula.  Lam.  It  is  more  robust,  paler,  and  the 
folds  are  more  prominent  and  on  more  whorls  than  in  M.  plicata. 
Lea. 

Melania  silicula.  Testa  parva,  gracilis,  sub-cylindrica,  trun- 
cata, epidermide  fusco-castaneo  induta  :  spira  anfr.  ad  4  super- 
stitibus, rotundatis,  spiraliter  liratis,  supernis  longitudinaliter  pli- 


225 

catis;  ultimo  fusco-zonaio ;  sutura  bene  impressa ;  apertura 
rotundato-ovata,  antice  vix  producta  ;  fiiuce  subviolaceo.  Long. 
^,  lat.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Nisqually,  Oregon. 

Very  much  like  the  preceding,  but  considerably  smaller,  more 
cylindrical,  ibe  whorls  more  plaited,  and  a  band  on  the  basal  one. 
It  resembles  M.  j^^oxima,  Say,  which  is  less  cylindrical  and  with- 
out folds. 

Melania  bulbosa.  Testa  parva,  conico-oblonga,  nitida,  de- 
coUata,  fusco-viridis :  spira  anfr.  superstitibus  2-3  rotundis  ;  sutu- 
ra profunda  :  apertura  ovato-rotundata,  vix  effusa.  Long.  4-, 
lat.  ^Q  poll.     Hab.  Columbia  River. 

The  whorls  are  very  cylindrical,  so  as  to  appear  like  a  succes- 
sion of  bulbs.  It  is  much  like  M.  perfusca,  Anthony  ;  but  in  that 
the  whorls  slope  gently  to  the  suture.  A  broken  specimen  shows 
that  it  often  attains  a  considerable  size. 

Melania  fuefurosa.  Testa  turrita,  ovato-pyramidata,  tenuis, 
scabriuscula,  dilute  fulva,  et  prope  suturam  fusco  maculata,  striis 
arcuatis  incrernentalibus  et  striis  volventibus  tenuissimis  decus- 
sata  :  spira  Integra,  anfr.  7  rotundatis,  confertis,  superne  sub-ta- 
bulatis  ;  ultimo  magno,  ventricoso  ;  supernis  oblique  plicatis: 
apertura  lunata,  ad  columellam  effusa.  Long.  |-,  lat.  ^  poll. 
Hab.  Manila. 

Allied  to  M.  scabra,  which  is  more  elongated,  and  its  whorls 
much  less  cylindrical,  its  striae  coarse  and  distant,  and  crowned 
with  spino-tubercles. 

Melanopsis  Zelandica.  Testa  solida,  ovato-conica,  nitida, 
olivacea,  fusco-trifasciata  :  spira  conica,  brevis,  acuta  ;  anfr.  3, 
supernis  planulatis  et  ad  suturam  confluentibus  ;  ultimo  magno, 
postice  planulato,  antice  ventricoso  :  apertura  elliptica,  coerules- 
cens,  rufo-fasciata,  postice  in  canalem  obducta;  labro  acuto : 
columella  valde  arcuata  et  excavata,  postice  callo  tuberculoso 
copioso  instructa.     Long,  -f-^^  lat.  ^^  poll.  -  Hab.  New  Zealand. 

Compared  with  M.  prxrosa.,  Lin.,  it  is  more  plump,  has  but 
3  instead  of  6  or  7  whorls,  the  aperture  proportionally  longer  : 
the  columella  remarkably  arched  ;  and  the  surface  and  aperture 
are  banded  with  dark  chestnut. 

PROCEEDINGS    B.  S.  N.  H.  20  JULY,  1847. 


226 

Dr.  Wyman  remarked,  in  reference  to  the  Podura,  found 
in  the  Alpine  snows,  mentioned  at  the  last  meeting,  that  a 
friend  informed  him  that  he  had  observed  an  insect  in  the 
snow  in  this  State,  known  to  the  common  people  under  the 
name  of  "  Snow-flea." 

Dr.  Wyman  exhibited  fossil  Teeth,  from  the  Tertiary  of 
Virginia,  of  Carcharias  megalodon. 

Dr.  Gould  mentioned,  that  he  had  observed,  in  turning 
over  Jardine's  Naturalist's  Library,  that  the  Moose,  which 
Mr.  Agassiz  has  lately  distinguished  from  the  European  spe- 
cies by  the  name  of  C.  lohatus,  was  already  distinguished 
by  Richardson  as  C.  Americanus, 

Dr.  Cabot  mentioned,  that  he  had  lately  found  a  specimen 
of  Anas  discors,  in  market,  in  full  plumage.  He  had  never 
before  met  with  one  at  this  season,  and  believed  them  very 
rare  in  this  region.  Mr.  J.  Eliot  Cabot  remarked  that  these 
birds  move  to  the  South  by  the  sea-coast,  but  return  by 
some  other  route.  They  breed  along  the  great  lakes  and 
the  coast  of  Maine. 

Mr.  Emerson,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee  on  Finance, 
reported  that  on  examination  of  the  Charter  of  the  Society, 
it  did  not  seem  necessary  to  ask  for  increased  power  to  hold 
property,  in  consequence  of  the  contemplated  purchase  of  a 
building.  It  was  believed  the  powers  already  granted  by 
the  charter  were  ample  for  the  purpose. 

A  letter  of  condolence,  on  the  lamented  death  of  our  late 
President,  addressed  to  the  Society,  by  the  Academy  of 
Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  was  read,  and  committed 
to  the  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Drs.  Abbot  and  Bigelow  were  chosen  a  Committee  to 
make  arrangements  for  the  Annual  Meeting. 

Rev.  Theodore  Parker  was  nominated  for  membership  by 
Mr.  J.  Eliot  Cabot. 


227 


ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.  Part  35,  long  4to.  London,  1847. 
Audubon  Fund. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  No.  125.  8vo. 
London,  1847.     Courtis  Fund. 

Magazine  of  Horticulture.  No.  148.  8vo.  Boston,  1847. 
C.  M.  Hovey,  Editor. 

Annals  of  the  Lyceum  of  Natural  History  of  New  York.  Vol. 
IV.     Nos.  8,  9.     8vo.     New  York,  1847.     Lyceum. 

Transactions  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society.  Vol.  IX. 
Part  3.     4to.     Philadelphia,  1847.     The  Society. 

The  Magazine  of  Horticulture,  and  Report  of  Agricultu- 
ral Society,  were  committed  to  Mr.  Teschemacher. 

The  Transactions  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society 
were  committed  to  Dr.  Bacon  ; 

Lyceum  of  Natural  History  of  New  York,  to  Dr.  Wyman. 


May  5,  1847. 

ANNUAL    MEETING. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Reports  of  Curators  were  handed  in ;  and,  on  motion, 
the  reading  of  them  was  postponed  to  the  next  meeting. 

The  Committee  for  the  nomination  of  Officers  for  the  en- 
suing year  reported,  and  the  Society  proceeded  to  the  elec- 
tion, which  resulted  in  the  choice  of  the  following  gentlemen. 

President, 
John  Collins  Warren,  M.  D. 

Vice  Presidents, 
Charles  T.  Jackson,  M.  D.         D.  Humphreys  Storer,  M.  D. 

Corresponding  Secretary, 
Augustus  A.  Gould,  M.  D. 


228 

Recording  Secretary, 
Thomas  Bulfinch. 

Treasui^erj 
Patrick  T.  Jackson,  Jr. 

Curators, 

T.  William  Harris,  M.  D.  Of  Entomology. 

J.  E.  Teschemacher,  Botany. 

Martin  Gay,  M.  D.  Mineralogy. 

Jeffries  Wyman,  M.  D.  Icthyology  and  Herpetology. 

N.  B.  Shurtleff,  M.  D.  Comparative  Anatomy. 

Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Geology. 

Samuel  Cabot,  Jr.,  M.  D.  Ornithology. 

John  Bacon,  Jr.,  M.  D.  Conchology. 

Librarian, 
Charles  K.  Dillaway. 

Cabinet  Keeper, 
Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr.,  M.  D. 

Prof.  C.  B.  Adams  presented  a  Synopsis  of  five  species 
of  Shells  from  Jamaica,  supposed  to  be  new.  They' were 
Triton  parvus,  Cerithium  gemmulosum,  Lucina  ornata,  L. 
subglobosa,  L.  pectinata. 

Prof.  A.  also  submitted  "  Corrections  of  the  Nomencla- 
ture of  some  species  of  Shells." 

Prof.  A.  presented  two  Aculei  of  large  size.  He  stated 
that  they  were  from  an  exogenous  tree,  whose  botanical 
name  was  unknown  to  him,  but  which  was  called  by  the 
country  people  "  Prickly  Yellow."  The  thorns  were  an 
elongation  of  the  cuticle,  and  easily  knocked  off. 

Mr.  Bouve  nominated  Charles  J.  Sprague  for  election  into 
the  Society. 

Pwev.  Theodore  Parker  was  elected  a  member  of  the  So- 
ciety. 


229 

May  19,  1847. 

The  President  in  the  Chair. 

The  Annual  Address  having  been  assigned  for  this  day,  a 
numerous  and  respectable  audience  of  members  and  friends 
of  the  Society  were  in  attendance. 

The  Reports  of  Curators  were  presented  and  read  by  Dr. 
Storer,  Vice  President ;  an  abstract  of  which  follows. 

The  Curator  of  Botamj  reports,  That  the  additions  to  the  Bo- 
tanical Collection  of  the  Society  are  confined  to  a  small,  but  ex- 
cellent Herbarium  of  Plants,  collected  in  the  vicinity  of  Apalachi- 
cola,  containing  several  rare  and  beautiful  species,  viz.  Bletia 
aphylla,  Aceratus  viridis,  four  species  of  Sarracenia,  Tarrega 
taxifolia,  an  undescribed  Gerardia,  and  an  undescribed  Jusii- 
cia,  &c. 

The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy  reports,  That  his  de- 
partment of  the  Cabinet  continues  to  be  increased  by  the  addition 
of  new  specimens,  both  from  foreign  and  domestic  sources  ;  par- 
ticular mentionof  which  will  be  found  in  the  printed  Proceedings 
of  the  Society. 

The  Curator,  in  anticipation  of  the  labor  necessarily  attendant 
on  the  removal  of  the  Collection  to  a  new  hall,  which  it  is  hoped 
may  be  accomplished  before  another  Annual  Meeting,  calls  on 
those  who  have  heretofore  labored  in  this  department,  to  renew 
their  efforts ;  and  invites  other  and  younger  coadjutors  to  lend 
their  aid. 

The  Curator  of  Ictliyology  and  Herpetology  reports,  That  in 
consequence  of  the  insufhciency  of  room  in  the  Society's  Hall, 
no  changes  have  been  practicable  in  the  general  arrangement  of 
the  Specimens  belonging  to  these  departments  ;  and  that,  as  in 
years  past,  a  large  number  of  valuable  specimens,  especially  of 
Reptiles,  are  still  necessarily  withheld  from  public  exhibition. 

Valuable  additions  have  been  made  to  the  Cabinet  during  the 
past  year,  for  which  the   Society  is  more   especially  indebted  to 


230 

the  Rev.  Mr.  Mason  of  Burmah,  and  to  Dr.  F.  W.  Cragin  of  Su- 
rinam ;  especially  to  the  latter  gentleman,  who  has  continued  to 
be,  as  for  several  years  past,  one  of  our  most  liberal  benefactors. 

The  Curator  of  Mineralogy  reports  that  the  Cabinet  of  Mine- 
rals has  been  increased  by  only  a  few  specimens.  There  are 
some  specimens  of  Copper,  that  have  not  been  particularly  noticed 
before,  and  a  beautiful  specimen  of  Oxide  of  Tin.  A  donation 
of  two  hundred  specimens  has  been  promised  by  Mr.  F.  Alger, 
and  they  will  be  selected  by  the  Curator  as  soon  as  a  place  shall 
be  ready  for  them  in  the  new  building.  Other  donations  have 
been  promised  to  be  made  to  the  Society  at  the  same  time. 

The  Curator  of  Ornithology  reports.  That  the  present  state  of 
the  Collection  belonging  to  his  department  is  one  of  safety  at 
least,  if  not  of  usefulness  ;  that  is  to  say,  with  the  exception  of 
about  one-third,  displayed  in  the  glass  cases,  our  Collection  of 
Birds  is,  after  having  been  thoroughly  baked  and  poisoned,  care- 
fully sealed  up  and  stowed  away  in  the  garret,  for  want  of  more 
fitting  accommodations.  To  preserve  them  from  the  Dermestes, 
which  were  making  most  fearful  ravages  in  spite  of  all  previous 
precautions,  including  the  immersion  of  each  specimen  in  a  strong 
tincture  of  corrosive  sublimate,  as  recommended  by  Waterton  ; 
the  Curator  resorted  to  this  measure  as  a  temporary  expedient. 
The  addition  of  twenty-seven  or  twenty-eight  specimens  from 
our  indefatigable  friend.  Dr.  Cragin  of  Surinam,  has  been  receiv- 
ed the  last  year.  The  purchase  of  eighteen  specimens  of  Cay- 
enne Birds,  which  are  wanting  to  the  Collection,  and  are  now  to 
be  procured  on  reasonable  terms,  is  recommended. 

The  Librarian  reports,  That  he  has  received,  since  the  last 
Annual  Meeting,  twenty-six  volumes  and  seventy-five  pamphlets 
or  parts  of  volumes.  Among  the  most  valuable  acquisitions,  are 
Gray's  Genera  of  Birds,  Milne  Edward,s's  Histoire  des  Crusta- 
cees,  Gould's  Monograph  of  the  Odontophorinse,  and  Owen's 
History  of  British  Fossil  Mammals  and  Birds.  The  number  of 
Books  received  the  past  year  is  not  so  great  as  that  of  the  pre- 
ceding year;  the  value  of  them,  however,  is  fully  equal. 

Dr.  Storer,  Vice  President,  remarked  as  follows  : 

"No  one  must  infer,  from  these  Reports  of  the  Curators,  that 


231 

my  less  interest  has  been  felt  than  in  preceding  years.  They 
lave  been  as  desirous  as  ever  of  enriching  our  Collection,  of  ad- 
vancing their  favorite  departments  ;  but  they  have  been  literally 
compelled,  not  merely  to  refuse  to  receive  specimens,  which 
have  been  offered  to  them,  but  also  to  refrain  from  arranging 
those  already  belonging  to  the  Society,  for  want  of  space. 

"  For  several  years  the  insufficiency  of  our  accommodations 
has  been  keenly  felt  by  the  members  of  this  Society.  During 
the  last  year,  our  late  much-lamented  President  determined  to 
make  an  effort  to  procure  a  suitable  building  to  contain  our  Col- 
lections. He  commenced  his  task,  and  had  obtained  subscrip- 
tions to  the  amount  of  several  thousand  dollars,  when  his  feeble 
health  compelled  him  to  leave  for  Europe.  Since  his  departure, 
the  effort  has  been  continued  by  others,  and  is  now  in  progress, 
with  a  fair  prospect  of  success." 

Dr.  Storer  paid  a  fervent  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memo- 
ry of  the  late  President,  and  warmly  welcomed  his  succes- 
sor to  the  seat  he  was  now  occupying,  and  pledged  the 
hearty  cooperation  of  his  brother  members  and  himself  to 
advance  the  prosperity  and  usefulness  of  the  Society. 

The  President,  Dr.  Warren,  replied,  acknowledging  the 
kind  welcome  given  him,  and  expressing  his  gratification  at 
the  honor  conferred  upon  him  by  his  election  to  that  office. 

He  remarked,  that  early  in  life  he  had  felt  deeply  interested 
in  Natural  History,  and  would  gladly  have  devoted  a  large  share 
of  his  time  and  powers  to  its  studies,  but  the  particular  depart- 
ments of  Anatomy  and  Surgery,  which,  at  that  time,  were  in  a 
very  imperfect  state  in  this  country,  demanded  all  his  faculties, 
and  it  was  not  till  of  late  years  that  he  had  felt  that  he  had  any 
time  to  bestow  on  the  special  branches  of  Natural  Science.  He 
had,  however,  from  the  publications  of  this  Society  and  from 
intercourse  with  its  members,  derived  frequent  aid  in  his  own 
studies,  and  been  led  to  form  a  high  estimate  of  the  usefulness  of 
the  Society  and  of  the  value  of  its  labors.  He  promised  to  give 
his  hearty  cooperation  with  his  brothers  of  the  Society  in  promot- 
ing their  common  objects. 


232 

The  Address  by  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  then  followed.  It  was 
principally  occupied  with  a  notice  of  the  Life,  Character, 
and  Labors  of  the  late  President  of  the  Society,  Amos  Bin- 
ney.  Remarks  on  the  Study  of  Natural  History  followed ; 
and  it  closed  with  an  account  of  the  effort  now  being  made 
for  procuring  a  suitable  edifice  for  the  Society  ;  congratu- 
lating the  members  on  the  prospect  of  their  next  Annual 
meeting  being  held  in  an  edifice  better  adapted  to  their 
wants,  and  more  worthy  of  their  past  and  future  labors. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Alger,  the  thanks  of  the  Society  were 
voted  to  Dr.  Gould,  for  his  interesting  and  able  Address ; 
and  the  Publishing  Committee  were  directed  to  request  a 
copy  for  the  press. 

The  Treasurer's  Report  was  then  read,  by  which  it  ap- 
pears that  the 

Receipts  for  the  last  year,  including  balance  from 

1846,  are      .  .  .  .  .      $499  22 

Expenditures  for  the  same  time  .  .         499  26 


Balance  due  the  Treasurer        ...  4 
From  the  Courtis  Fund  there  has  been  received, 

including  balance  from  last  year         .              .  $555  51 

Expended          .....  358  26 

Balance  to  credit  of  Courtis  Fund          .             .  197  25 

The  Report  was  committed  to  a  Committee,  consisting 
of  B.  A.  Gould,  and  Charles  C.  Sheafe,  Esqrs.,  for  exam- 
ination. 

Charles  J.  Sprague  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Society. 

Dr.  Phelps,  of  Windsor,  Vt.,  and  Dr.  Lewis  B..  Gibbcs,  of 
Charleston,  S.  C,  were  elected  Corresponding  Members. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Appleton  was  nominated  for  election  as  a 
member,  by  Dr.  Gould. 


233 


ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Proceedings  of  Providence  Franklin  Society.  Vol.  I.  No.  2. 
8vo.   pamph.     Providence,  1847.     P.  F.  Society. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.  Part  36.  Long  4to.  London,  1847. 
Audubon  Fund. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  No.  126.  8vo. 
London,  1847.     Courtis  Fund. 

N.  B.  Ward  on  the  Growth  of  Plants,  in  closely  glazed  cases. 
8vo.     London,  1842.     Author. 

Silliman's  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts.  No.  9. 
2d  Series,  Vol.  III.     8vo.     New  Haven.     Editors. 

Proceedings  of  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia. 
Vol.  IIL  Nos.  6  and  7.  8vo.  pamph.  Philadelphia,  1847. 
Academy. 

Proceedings  of  Zoological  Society  of  London.  Parts  12,  13, 
14.     May,  1844,  to  April,  1846.     Zoological  Society. 

Reports  of  the  Council  and  Auditors  of  the  London  Zoological 
Society,  for  1845-6.     Zoological  Society. 

Magazine  of  Horticulture.  No.  149.  For  May,  1847.  8vo. 
pamph.     Boston.     C.  M.  Hovey,  Editor. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.  Part  37.  Long  4to.  London,  1847. 
Audubon  Fund. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  Nos.  127,  128. 
8vo.     London,  1847.     Courtis  Fund. 


May  27,  1847. 

A  Special  Meeting  was  holden  at  the  house  of  the  Pre- 
sident, to  take  further  measures  in  relation  to  the  procure- 
ment of  a  building. 

The  President  in  the  Chair. 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  be  authorized  and  directed  to  col- 
lect the  moneys  which  have  been  subscribed  for  the  purchase  of 
a  building  for  the  Society. 

Voted,  That  the  Building  Committee  be  authorized  to  con- 
clude the  purchase  of  the  Medical  College  in  ^lason  Street. 


234 

Voted,  That  said  Committee  be  enlarged  by  the  addition  of 
the  Treasurer,  and  requested  to  continue  their  efforts  to  increase 
the  subscription  to  the  necessary  amount. 

Voted,  That  the  President,  with  the  Committee,  be  instructed 
to  prepare  a  Circular,  embodying  the  facts  relating  to  the  subject, 
and  to  distribute  it  among  the  friends  of  the  Society. 

Voted,  That  the  President  be  authorized  and  requested  to  con- 
fer with  other  gentlemen,  not  members  of  the  Society,  and  with 
them  to  concert  measures  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  object 
in  view. 


June  2,  1847. 
The  President  in  the  Chair. 


Dr.  Wyman  exhibited  Preparations  of  the  Spines,  from 
the  head  of  the  Lophius  Americanus,  Cuv.,  showing  their 
peculiar  mode  of  articulation,  by  means  of  two  rings  of 
bone,  resembling  the  links  of  a  chain.  The  ring  belonging 
to  the  movable  spine  is  in  many  specimens  made  up  in  part 
of  ligament. 

He  exhibited  a  foetus  of  the  Acanthias  Americanus, 
Storer,  the  vitelline  sac  being  still  suspended  from  the  abdo- 
men. He  had  taken  a  large  number  from  the  oviducts,  and 
found  them  nearly  all  in  a  corresponding  stage  of  develop- 
ment. There  were  none  in  an  earlier  stage,  except  a  few 
instances  where  the  vitellus  only  existed  in  the  duct,  but  the 
process  of  development  had  not  commenced.  One  speci- 
men was  captured  swimming  in  the  water,  with  the  vitellus 
still  pendent. 

Dissections  of  the  foetal  and  adult  brain  were  also  exhib- 
ited, the  former  contrasting  with  the  latter  in  having  the 
olfactory  lobes  in  contact  with  the  hemispheres,  and  these 
last  proportionally  much  smaller,  more  oval,  and  more 
closely  resembling  the  optic  lobes  in  form  and  size. 


235 

The  interior  of  the  oviduct  presented  a  peculiarity  which 
is  interesting  in  connection  with  the  mode  of  development 
of  the  genus.  The  mucous  membrane  is  thrown  into  longi- 
tudinal folds,  and  each  fold  provided  with  numerous  vascu- 
lar loops,  which  lying  in  contact  with  the  vessels  on  the 
surface  of  the  vitelline  sac,  would  assist  in  revivifying  the 
blood  of  the  foetus,  and  thus  forming  an  imperfect  placenta. 
Muller  has  demonstrated  the  union  of  the  vitellus  and  the 
vascular  surface  in  the  Emissole,  and  thus  forming  a  much 
nearer  approach  anatomically  and  physiologically  to  a  true 
placenta.  This  peculiarity  is  in  accordance  with  the  view 
taken  by  Agassiz  and  Owen,  that  the  Plagiostome  fishes  are 
more  nearly  alUed  to  the  higher  vertebrata  than  they  were 
supposed  to  be  by  Cuvier. 

The  President  read  a  letter  from  M.  Alcide  d'Orbigny, 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  the  Society's  Proceedings,  and 
announcing  the  donation  of  a  work  of  his,  now  in  progress, 
on  French  Paleontology,  and  sohciting  contributions  of 
American  specimens. 

Dr.  Storer  read  a  letter  from  Mr.  N.  M.  Hentz.  He  an- 
nounces that  he  has  made  several  additional  discoveries, 
and  has  many  new  descriptions  and  designs,  which  will  form 
an  Appendix  to  his  paper  on  Araneides,  now  publishing  in 
the  Journal. 

Dr.  Storer  read  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  Dr.  F.  B.  E. 
Brown,  of  A.palachicola,  Fa.,  as  follows : 

"  I  have  the  pleasure  of  forwarding  a  specimen  of  the  Opliio- 
saurus  str^iatulus,  Jointed  or  Glass  Snake,  of  this  country.  It  is 
the  first  one  I  have  ever  seen  unbroken.  In  catching  them  they 
will  often  strike  with  the  tail,  which  will  fly  off  like  a  pipe-stem. 
They  are  quite  innocent.  Found  near  low  grounds,  subsisting 
chiefly  on  bugs  and  worms  ;  are  fond  of  being  near  rice  fields. 
This  was  caught  and  presented  to  me  by  my  friend,  Dr.  Chap- 
man." 


236 

Dr.  Gould,  in  behalf  of  Mr.  T.  J.  Whittemore,  presented 
a  beautiful  shell  of  Testudo  radiata. 

Dr.  G.  read  a  letter  from  Dr.  J.  Lawrence  Smith,  com- 
municating the  fact  that  he  is  now  located  at  Constantinople, 
in  the  employment  of  the  Turkish  government,  and  is  de- 
sirous of  procuring  specimens  of  American  Minerals  and 
Fossils,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  Cabinet  in  that 
city,  and  offers  to  reciprocate  by  the  exchange  of  specimens 
from  that  country. 

Dr.  G.  placed  on  the  table  a  fine  Engraving  of  the  late  Prof. 
De  Candolle,  sent  to  Prof.  Gray,  with  others,  by  the  son  of 
De  Candolle,  for  distribution  as  he  should  judge  expedient. 

The  President  proposed  that  a  considerable  addition  be 
made  to  the  members  of  the  Society,  by  the  election  of  gen- 
tlemen who  would  be  likely  to  advance  the  interests  of  the 
Society.  The  subject  was  referred  to  a  Committee  consist- 
ing of  Drs.  Gould,  Wyman,  and  Kneeland. 

The  President  proposed  the  following  gentlemen  for 
election  as  members :  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  John  Welles, 
Amos  Lawrence,  Abbott  Lawrence,  Samuel  Appleton,  Wil- 
liam Appleton,  Nathan  Appleton,  Francis  Appleton,  Wil- 
liam Lawrence,  David  Sears,  William  Amory. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Appleton  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Society. 


June  16,  1847. 
Dr.  Storer,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Wyman  read  extracts  from  a  letter  from  Mr.  Squier, 
containing  the  results  of  his  late  investigations  of  the  Indian 
Mounds  of  the  West.  Dr.  W.  exhibited  specimens  of 
Beads  and  other  relics,  and  remarked  upon  the  nature  of 
the  material  of  which  they  were  composed. 


237 

Dr.  Gould  presented  descriptions  of  the  following  Shells, 
from  the  collection  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

Neritina  porcata.  Testa  obliqua,  sub-hemispherica,  solidi- 
uscula,  fusco-rubricans,  maculis  parvis  nigris  interdum  tessellata, 
longitudinaliter  striata  et  rugis  conspicuis  ordinatis  sub-imbrica- 
tis  porcata  :  spira  vix  tumida,  anfractu  ultimo  penitus  involuta  ; 
apertura  parva,  lunata ;  labro  callo  aurantiaco  intus  munito  ;  labio 
piano,  amplo,  sanguineo  ;  columella  arcuata,  denticulata.  Dlam. 
■^jj,  alt.  4-  poll. 

Like  N.  Bruguieri  and  canalis,  it  has  the  spire  wholly  involv- 
ed in  the  last  whorl.  The  former  has  a  somewhat  elevated  spire, 
a  larger  aperture,  and  a  smooth  and  silky  instead  of  a  ridged 
surface.  The  latter  is  distinct  by  the  canal  which  winds  along 
the  suture. 

Neritina  cholerica.  Testa  oblique  semiglobulosa,  solidula 
leviter  striata,  castaneo-fusca,  subtus  interdum  lineolis  flexuosis 
nigris  picta ;  spira  vix  exserta,  ultimo  anfractu  recurrente  fere 
involuta  :  apertura  oblique  semicircularis,  magna,  postice  canali- 
culata ;  labro  flavo  ;  labio  planulato  extrinsecus  sanguineo  tincto  ; 
columella  alba,  valde  sinuata,  denticulata.  Operculum  tenue, 
lividum,  sulco  divisum,  granulatum,  ad  apicem  flavidum.  Diam. 
|-  poll.     Hob.  Feejee  Islands. 

Allied  to  the  dark  varieties  of  M.  duhia,  but  distinct  by  its  in- 
volved and  girded  spire,  like  N.  Bruguieri,  and  also  by  its  very 
sinuous  and  strongly-toothed  pillar  lip.  It  has  a  channel  towards 
the  spire  much  like  N.  canalis,  whose  color  and  marking  of  the 
ventral  face  it  also  resembles. 

Neritina  chrysocolla.  Testa  solida,  oblique  conico-globosa, 
coracina,  lineis  exilibus  obliquis  flavidis  flexuosis  picta  :  spira 
elevata,  erosa ;  anfr.  2-3  ventricosis,  infra  suturam  aliquid  con- 
strictis  ;  apertura  oblique  semi-elliptica  ;  labro  coeruleo,  viridi 
limbato  ;  labio  convexo,  luteo-virente  ;  columella  sinuata,  dentic- 
ulata :  operculum  osseum,  salmonaceum,  costa  bisectum.  Long, 
f ,  lat.  f ,  poll.     Hah.  Upolu. 

Of  the  same  group  as  N.  communis,  lugulris  and  Jielvola,  but 
distinct  by  its  green,  blue-edged  outer  lip  and  yellowish  green 
pillar  lip,  as  well  as  by  its  very  delicate  zigzag  lines,  scarcely 
seen  except  on  the  ventral  face. 


238 

Neritina  helvola.  Testa  solida,  conico-globosa,  polita,  co- 
loribus  fuscis  et  cervinis  plerumque  fulgurantibus  diversimode 
picta :  spira  prominula,  erosa,  anfr.  2  superstitibus  :  apertura 
oblique  semicircularis,  helvola ;  columella  convexiuscula,  callo 
copioso  induta,  acute  denticulata.  Long.  |,  lat.  f  poll.  Hah. 
Feejee  Islands. 

Closely  allied  to  N.  communis,  but  is  rather  more  globular,  and 
generally  smaller,  and  the  aperture  has  a  more  nearly  circular 
outline.  It  has  less  brilliant  and  defined  coloring,  and  is  always 
to  be  distinguished  by  its  eroded  tip,  and  the  bright  carnelian 
color  of  its  inferior  face. 

Neritina  siderea.  Testa  parva,  ovata-globosa,  polita,  nitida, 
nigra,  punctis  sparsis  albis  notata :  spira  prominula,  erosa ; 
anfr.  2-3  ;  sutura  marginata  :  apertura  semicircularis,  intus  coe- 
rulescens ;  labio  piano,  angusto,  luteo  ;  columella  acuta,  vix 
denticulata.     Operculum  fuscum.     Diam.  ^  poll.     Hah.  Feejees. 

About  the  size  of  N.  BoBtica,  but  more  globose  and  solid  ;  the 
inner  lip  less  extended,  and  yellow  instead  of  bluish,  and  it  also 
has  the  white  specks  by  which  alone  it  may  be  recognized.  In 
N.  Bcetica  the  opercle  is  flesh-colored. 

Neritina  amcena.  Testa  parva,  ovato-triangularis,  postice 
constricta,  striis  incrementalibus  ordinatis  bene  insculpta,  colori- 
bus  nigris,  rubris,  flavidis  plerumque  fasciatim  dispositis,  et  ma- 
culis  quadratis  albis  nigro-umbratis  tessellatim  dispositis,  picta : 
spira  planulata,  erosa,  anfr.  2-3 ;  apertura  rotundato-elliptica, 
flavo-viridis ;  labro  angusto,  piano;  columella  valde  arcuata,  10 
denticulata.  Operculum  viridulum,  inornatum.  Axis  -j?^,  lat.  | 
poll. 


Nerita  musiva.  Testa  modica,  subsolida,  transversa,  ovoidea, 
ventricosa,  fusco-cinerea,  longitudinaliter  crasse  striata,  sulcis 
volventibus  ordinatis  arata,  liris  interpositis  planulatis,  sub-gran- 
ulosis,  lineolis  crebris  albidis  sectis  :  apertura  sub-circularis,  cali- 
ciformis,  peristomate  sub-continuo  :  labro  edentulo,  albo,  sulcis 
obliquis  fuscis  tenuiter  arato  ;  labio  concavo,  fusco,  granulis 
paucis   notato,    denticulis   tribus    instructo.     Axis  4,  lat.  f  poll. 

This  unusually-shaped  Nerite  looks  like  a  Stomatella,  with  the 
whorls  rounded  in  every  direction,  when  viewed  at  the  back.    lis 


239 

general  form  is  somewhat  like  N.  signata.  It  is  remarkable  for 
its  nearly  circular,  cup-shaped  aperture,  its  shining  black,  finely- 
granulated  concave  pillar,  and  its  gray,  minutely  mosaic  surface 
produced  by  the  white  lines  crossing  its  ridges. 

Natica  Lewisii.  Testa  magnifica,  solidiuscula,  conico-globo- 
sa,  albida,  epidermide  sordide  stramineo  induta,  lineis  minimis, 
confertissimis,  flexuosis  cincta ;  anfr.  6  ventricosis  postice  valde 
constrictis  :  apertura  obovata,  ampla  ;  callo  copioso  albo  castaneo- 
tincto  supra  umbilicum  modicum  simplicem  profundum  circum- 
fluente,  ad  anfractum  ultimum  munita ;  fauce  incarnescente. 
Operculum  corneum.  Axis  4J-5,  lat.  4  poll.  Hob.  Puget 
Sound. 

This  certainly  exceeds  in  size  all  other  species  yet  discovered. 
It  is  allied  to  N.  heros,  some  specimens  of  which  occasionally 
approach  it  in  size.  It  is  however  less  globular,  and  distinguish- 
ed by  the  remarkable  constriction  near  the  suture.  Specimens 
were  brought  from  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  by  Lewis  and 
Clarke,  and  have  been  designated  by  the  above  name. 

Natica  caurina.  Testa  parva,  solida,  levigata,  globoso-ellip- 
soidea,  albida,  epidermide  tenui  stramineo  induta,  vix  perforata  : 
spira  obtusa,  erosa,  anfr.  44-,  ultimo  sub-tabulata,  antice  sub- 
contracta ;  apertura  parva,  semilunaris  ;  columella  recta,  postice 
callo  copioso  albo  induta.  Axis  4-,  diam.  f  poll.  Hab.  Straits  of 
De  Fuca. 

Nearly  the  same  as  N.  i?npervia,  Phil,  from  Cape  Horn,  which 
has  a  very  depressed  spire,  and  its  umbilic  closed  by  a  semicir- 
cular callus.  Its  form  and  color  is  like  N.  immaculata,  Tott., 
though  it  is  much  larger.  It  is  more  solid  and  less  globular  than 
N.  Grcenlandica. 

Natica  soluta.  Testa  parva,  globosa,  sordide  alba,  striis 
tenuissimis  cincta  :  spira  anfr.  5  ventricosis,  superne  sub-tabula- 
tis ;  sutura  profundissima  ;  apertura  semilunaris,  angulo  postico 
callo  firmato  ;  labio  acuto,  tenui,  ad  basim  incrassato,  subeffuso  : 
columella  recta,  callosa,  post  umbilicum  parvum  profundum  dila- 
tata.     Diam.  ^  poll. 

A  small,  nearly  globular  shell,  allied  to  N.  horeaJis,  Gray,  and 
N.  globosa.  King,  but  distinguished  by  its  deep-channeled  suture. 


240 

Dr.  Shurtleff  nominated  for  membership  Henry  B.  Hum- 
phrey, Esq. 

Dr.  Storer  announced  a  bequest  of  ten  volumes,  from  the 
Library  of  the  late  Judge  Davis. 

Prosper!  Alpini  de  Plantis  ^gypti  Liber.    4to.  Venetiis.  1592. 

Cuvier.  La  Regne  Animal,  distribue  d'apres  son  organisation. 
8vo.     4  vols,  in  3.     Paris,  1817. 

Blainville.  Manuel  de  Malacologie  et  de  Conchyliologie. 
8vo.  ;  2  vols.     Paris,  1817. 

Montfort.  Conchyliologia  Systematique  et  Classification  Me- 
thodique  des  Coquilles.     2  vols.  8vo.     Paris,  1808. 

Nic.  Josephi  Jacquin  Selectorum  Stirpium  Americanarum  His- 
toria.     8vo.     Manhiemii,  1788. 

Deshayes,  G.  P.  Description  de  Coquilles  characteristiques 
des  Terrains.     8vo.     Paris,  1831. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.  Part  38.  Long  4to.  London,  1847. 
Audubon  Fund. 

Audubon  and  Bachman.  Quadrupeds  of  America.  Plates, 
106-110.     Folio.     Sulscrihers. 

Discovery  by  C.  T.  Jackson,  M.  D.,  of  the  Applicability  of 
Sulphuric  Ether  in  Surgical  Operations.  By  M.  Gay.  8vo. 
pamph.     Boston.     Author. 

Proceedings  of  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia. 
Vol.  III.     No.    8.     March  and  April,  1847.     Academij. 

Some  Account  of  the  Letheon  ;  or,  Who  was  the  Discoverer  ? 
By  Edward  Warren.     8vo.  pamph.     Boston.     Author. 

Paleontologie  Francaise.  Description  Zoolog,  et  Geolog.  de 
tous  les  Animaux  Mollusques  et  Rayonnes  Fossiles  de  France. 
Par  Alcide  d'Orbigny.  122  Livraisons.  8vo.  Paris,  1842-6. 
The  Author. 

Bulletin  de  la  Societe  Geologique  de  France.  Vols.  1,  2,  and 
Parts  1-8.  Vol.  III.  8vo.  Paris,  1844-6.  Deuxieme  Serie. 
Geological  Society  of  France. 


241 

JuUj  1,  1847. 

Dr.  Cabot  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Kneeland  presented  a  Cranium  of  Coryphoena,  Lin. 
The  fish  was  taken  by  Dr.  K.  with  hook  and  line,  about 
midway  of  the  Atlantic  ocean.  Length  3  feet.  The  head 
is  much  elevated,  and  both  palate  and  jaws  furnished  with 
teeth. 

Dr.  Kneeland  read  from  the  Illustrated  News,  the  re- 
marks of  Mr.  Smee,  respecting  the  Aphis  vastator,  to  which 
is  attributed  the  disease  of  the  Potato  plant. 

Dr.  Gould  read  extracts  from  a  letter  of  Dr.  G.  A.  Perkins, 
of  Cape  Palmas,  accompanying  which  were  specimens  of 
Shells,  &.C. 

Dr.  P.  speaks  of  the  difficulties  which  attend  the  pursuits 
of  the  naturalist  in  that  country,  and  adds  his  own  experi- 
ence. A  box  of  Shells,  prepared  for  his  Boston  friends,  had 
been  invaded  by  the  Termites,  who  ate  out  the  paper  pack- 
ing, and  deposited  in  its  place  their  insoluble  mortar,  ce- 
menting the  whole  together,  and  spoiling  the  work  of 
months.  Among  the  specimens  sent  were  a  bivalve  shell, 
(Psammobia  ?)  with  three  adductor  muscles,  and  an  Orbi- 
cuia,  which  he  supposes  may  be  a  new  species. 

Dr.  Gould,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee  to  which  was  re- 
ferred the  subject  of  enlarging  the  number  of  members  of 
the  Society,  reported  the  following  vote,  which  was  adopted. 

"  That  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  given  to  the  gentlemen 
who  have  contributed  to  the  fund  for  procuring  a  building  for  the 
Society,  and  that  those  whose  contributions  amount  to  fifty  dol- 
lars, be  notified  that  they  are  recognized,  agreeably  to  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  Society,  as  its  Patrons  ;  that  they  will  be  entitled 
to  the  use  of  its  Library  and  Cabinet,  as  members;  and  that  the 
hope  be  expressed  to  them,  that  they  will  continue  to  manifest 
an  interest  in  tiie  objects  and  prosperity  of  the  Society." 

PROCEEDINGS    B.  S.  N.  H.  21  AUGUST,  1847. 


242 

Dr.  Storer  communicated,  from  Mr.  Hentz,  the  conclu- 
sion of  his  paper  on  Araneides,  for  the  Journal. 

Mr.  Henry  B.  Humphrey  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Society  ;  Mr.  Edward  Desor,  and  Count  Francis  de  Pourtales 
of  Neufchatel,  were  elected  Corresponding  members. 


July  21,  1847. 
Dr.  Storer,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Storer  stated,  that  he  had  made  a  visit  of  a  few  days 
at  Provincetown.  where  he  had  found,  as  he  believed,  two 
new  species  of  Alosa  and  one  of  Platessa. 

Alosa  cyanonoton.  Above  bhiish,  cupreous  upon  the  sides 
and  opercula,  silvery  beneath  ;  a  large  black  spot  upon  the 
shoulder.  Where  the  scales  were  removed,  no  other  spots  are 
observed,  as  in  the  A.  sapidissima,  but  the  entire  upper  portion 
of  the  body  is  of  a  deep  greenish  blue  color.  The  length  of  the 
head  is  less  than  one-fifth  the  length  of  the  body.  Caudal 
pouches.  Length  ten  inches.  Called  Blue-hack  by  the  fisher- 
men at  Provincetown.     D.  17,  P.  18,  V.  10,  A.  17,  C.  20. 

Alosa  lineata.  Sides  silvery,  with  six  or  eight  indistinct 
longitudinal  bluish  lines;  the  pectoral  and  caudal  fins  are  of  a 
dark  brown  color,  the  anal  and  ventrals  nearly  white.  The  head 
equal  in  length  to  about  one-fifth  the  entire  length  ;  the  lower 
jaw  the  largest ;  the  chin  is  prominent.  Caudal  pouches. 
Length  about  fifteen  inches.  Called  by  the  fishermen  Hickory 
Shad.     D.  17,  P.  16,  V.  8,  A.  20,  C.  20. 

Platessa  quadrocellata.  Body  elongated  :  the  length  of  the 
head  is  not  quite  equal  to  one-fourth  the  length  of  the  entire  fish. 
Of  a  gray  color,  thickly  spotted  with  brown,  including  all  the  fins. 
About  the  middle  of  the  body,  just  beneath  the  dorsal  fin,  and 
directly  opposite  this,  above  the  anal  fin,  are  situated  two  large, 
nearly  black  ocelli,  surrounded  by  a  pinkish  halo  ;  at  the  base  of 


243 

the  caudal  fin  are  two  similar  smaller  ocelli.  The  caudal  fin  is 
large  and  angular.  Length  of  species  about  sixteen  inches. 
D.  86,  P.  18,  V.  10,  A.  76,  C.  17. 

Dr.  S.  also  read,  from  his  notes,  taken  on  the  spot,  interesting 
details  relating  to  the  Mackerel  Fishery.  He  mentioned,  that 
immense  numbers  of  Whiting,  taken  in  the  mackerel  nets,  are 
thrown  away  as  useless.  Prof.  Agassiz  expressed  his  surprise  at 
this  fact,  and  said,  that  in  Europe  the  Whiting  was  considered  a 
valuable  fish  for  the  table,  and  preferred  to  Qod. 

Dr.  Wyman  exhibited  a  Cranium  of  Delphinus  glohiceps^ 
having  the  first  four  cervical  vertebrae  connected  by  anchy- 
losis, as  was  also  the  atlas  with  the  occiput.  This  he  con- 
sidered to  be  a  morbid  state  of  the  parts ;  as  in  more  than 
twenty  other  remains  of  the  same  portions  of  the  skeletons, 
which  he  had  found  at  the  same  time  and  place,  viz.  the 
beach  at  Provincetown,  on  a  late  visit,  no  such  anchylosis 
existed. 

Prof.  Agassiz  remarked,  that  the  specimen  was  interesting 
as  showing  an  analogy  between  the  Cetacea,  the  lowest 
order  of  the  Mammalia,  and  Fishes,  in  respect  to  the  short- 
ness and  immobility  of  the  cervical  vertebrae. 

Prof.  Agassiz  also  remarked  on  the  fortunate  position  of  Bos- 
ton naturalists,  in  their  location  at  a  seaport.  In  this  case.  Dr. 
Wyman  had  had  an  opportunity  to  correct  the  inferences  drawn 
from  an  abnormal  specimen,  by  immediate  comparison  with  nu- 
merous others.  No  universities  in  Europe,  excepting  those  of 
Naples  and  Greifswald,  are  situated  upon  the  immediate  sea- 
coast.  Marine  species  have  to  be  described  from  single  speci- 
mens, sent  to  naturalists,  residing  at  a  distance  from  the  sea ;  and 
such  descriptions  are  apt  to  be  rather  portraits  of  individuals  than 
definitions  of  species. 

Dr.  Gould  announced  the  reception  of  a  box  from  Dr.  J. 
Lawrence  Smith,  at  Constantinople,  containing  Birds  and 
Crustacea. 

He  hailed  with  pleasure  this  first  step  to  an  interchange  of 
specimens  of  natural  productions  with  the  Turkish  empire.     He 


244 

expressed  a  hope  that  some  of  our  number  would  make  a  return 
in  kind  to  Dr.  Smith.  At  his  motion,  the  thanks  of  the  Society 
were  voted  to  Dr.  Smith. 

Dr.  Wyman  announced  the  reception  of  a  large  and 
beautiful  specimen  of  Selenite  from  California,  presented  by 
John  Henderson,  Esq.  of  St.  Louis.  On  his  motion,  the 
thanks  of  the  Society  were  presented  to  the  donor. 

Dr.  Wyman  also  announced,  from  Dr.  Savage,  several 
Crania,  and  other  important  bones  of  Chimpanzee,  and  a 
Nest  of  Termes  bellicosus  ;  with  other  specimens,  animal 
and  vegetable.  Thanks  were  voted  to  Dr.  Savage  for  these 
donations. 

Joshua  Tucker,  M.  D.,  Edward  R.  Dearborn,  and  John 
T.  Heard,  were  elected  members. 


August  4,  1847. 

Dr.  Storer,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Wyman  exhibited  donations,  from  Dr.  Savage,  of 
objects  from  Africa,  viz.  Nest  of  Termes  bellicosus  ;  Fruit 
of  Adaiisonia  digitata ;  Nuts  of  the  Elais  Guineensis,  or 
Oil  Palm-tree,  on  which  the  Chimpanzee  feeds ;  native 
Cloth,  from  the  bark  of  a  species  of  Ficus ;  Teeth  and  Tusk 
of  an  African  Elephant.  He  also  exhibited  four  Crania  of 
Troglodytes  niger,  and  four  Crania  and  other  important 
bones  of  a  species  of  Troglodytes  hitherto  undescribed. 

Dr.  Cabot  asked  leave  to  make  arrangements  to  have 
mounted  all  the  birds  now  in  the  drawers,  preparatory  to 
their  removal  to  the  new  hall.  Leave  was  given,  on  condi- 
tion that  so  much  of  the  expense  of  said  arrangement,  as 
shall  exceed  the  due  proportion  of  the  Society's  funds,  ap- 
plicable to  that  department  of  the  Cabinet,  shall  be  provided 
by  Dr.  Cabot  from  other  sources. 


245 

Dr.  Shurtleff  moved,  that  the  Curators  of  IHerpetology 
and  Comparative  Anatomy,  have  leave  to  expend  upon  their 
departments  such  sums  as  may  be  necessary  to  fit  them  for 
removal,  under  the  same  condition  as  was  annexed  to  the 
vote  just  passed,  in  regard  to  the  department  of  Ornithology. 
It  vt^as  so  voted. 

It  was  voted,  that  the  care  of  the  removal  of  the  Collec- 
tion, in  its  various  departments,  and  its  re-arrangement  in 
the  new  hall,  be  committed  to  the  Curators  of  each  depart- 
ment, in  conjunction  with  Dr.  Shurtleff. 

A  fine  specimen  of  Selenite  from  California,  presented  by 
Mr.  John  Henderson,  was  committed  to  the  Curator  of 
Mineralogy. 

The  Vegetable  specimens,  presented  by  Dr.  Savage,  were 
committed  to  the  Curator  of  Botany. 


Aitgust  18,  1847. 

Dr.  Storer,  Vice  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  J.  Wyman  read  a  communication  from  Dr.  Thomas 
S.  Savage,  describing  the  external  character  and  habits  of  a 
new  species  of  Troglodytes  (T.  gorilla,  Savage,)  recently 
discovered  by  Dr.  S.  in  Empongwe,  near  the  river  Gaboon, 
Africa. 

This  animal  is  known  to  the  natives  under  the  name  of  Engeena, 
and  is  much  larger  and  more  ferocious  than  the  Chimpanzee. 
Its  height  is  above  five  feet ;  but  it  is  remarkable  for  the  dispro- 
portionate breadth  of  the  shoulders,  which  is  double  that  of  the 
Chimpanzee.  The  hair  is  coarse,  and  black,  except  in  old  indi- 
viduals, when  it  becomes  gray.  The  head  is  longer  than  that  of 
an  ordinary  man  by  two  inches,  and  is  remarkable  for  having  a 
crest  of  coarse  hair  over  the  sagittal  suture,  which  meets  at  right 
angles  a  second,  extending  over  the  upper  part  of  the  occiput, 


246 

from  one  ear  to  the  other.  The  fore-arm  is  much  shorter  than 
the  arm,  the  hand  is  remarkable  for  its  great  size,  and  the 
thumbs  larger  than  the  fingers.  A  slight  tuft  of  hair  exists  at  the 
extremity  of  the  os  coccygis  —  no  tail,  no  callosities.  Its  gait  is 
awkward  and  shuffling,  supporting  itself  on  the  feet  and  fingers, 
and  palms  of  the  hands  ;  but  not,  like  the  Chimpanzee,  resting 
on  the  knuckles. 

They  live  in  herds,  the  females  exceeding  the  males  in  num- 
ber. Their  habitations,  like  those  of  the  Chimpanzee,  consist  of 
a  few  sticks  and  leafy  branches,  supported  by  the  crotches  and 
limbs  of  the  trees,  which  afford  no  shelter,  and  are  occupied  only 
at  night.  They  are  exceedingly  ferocious,  and  objects  of  terror 
to  the  natives,  who  seldom  encounter  them  except  on  the  defen- 
sive. The  killing  of  a  Engeena  is  considered  an  act  of  great 
skill  and  courage,  and  brings  to  the  victor  signal  honor.  Its  in- 
telligence is  said  to  be  inferior  to  that  of  the  Chimpanzee. 

The  Amomums^  in  Empongwe,  which  constitutes,  in  every  lo- 
cality of  the  African  Orangs,  a  prominent  article  of  food.  Dr. 
S.  found  to  be  of  different  species  from  those  of  Cape  Palmas. 
At  the  latter  place  but  one  species,  and  a  variety  with  acid  pulp, 
is  known ;  but  at  Empongwe  three.  Fruits,  distinguished  by  the 
opposite  properties  of  acidity  and  sweetness,  are  eaten  with  equal 
zest.  The  stem  of  the  Saccharum  qfflcinariim,  the  fruit  of  the 
Elais  Guine  7isis,  Carica  papaya,  Miisa  sapientium,  and  others, 
unknown  to  botany,  furnish  its  articles  of  food. 

The  Orangs  are  regarded  by  the  natives  as  degenerated  hu- 
man beings.  The  Encheeco,  or  Chimpanzee,  being  less  fero- 
cious, and  more  intelligent,  is  supposed  to  have  the  spirit  of  a 
Coast-man,  but  the  Engeena  that  of  a  Bush-man.  Their  flesh, 
when  obtained,  is  eaten  by  the  natives,  as  well  as  that  of  the 
Chimpanzee. 

Dr.  Wyman  exhibited  four  Crania  (two  male  and  two 
female),  of  the  Engeena  ;  also  the  long  bones  of  the  extrem- 
ities, a  male  and  female  pelvis,  and  some  other  bones. 
The  following  osteological  characters  were  pointed  out  as 
indicating  that  the  Engeena  is  specifically  distinct  from  the 
Chimpanzee,  the  only  Orang  hitherto  discovered  in  Africa. 

The  Engeena  differs  from  the  Chimpanzee,  1st.  In  its  much 


247 

greater  dimensions;  2d.  In  the  size  and  form  of  the  superciliary 
ridges  ;  3d.  In  the  existence  of  a  broad  and  thin  interparietal 
and  occipital  crest  in  the  males,  and  in  a  rudiment  of  the 
same  in  the  females  ;  4th.  In  the  great  strength  and  arched  form 
of  the  zygomatic  arches ;  5th.  In  the  form  of  the  anterior  and 
posterior  nasal  orifices  ;  6th.  The  incisive  alveoli  are  more  nar- 
row, and  do  not  project  beyond  the  line  of  the  face  ;  7th.  The 
scapula  is  more  nearly  equilateral,  the  spine  divides  it  more 
equally;  and,  Sth.  The  ossa  ilii  are  much  broader,  more  con- 
cave, and  the  anterior  spines  project  much  further  forwards. 

The  Engeena,  in  the  strength  of  the  zygomatic  arches,  in  the 
existence  of  the  crests,  and  in  the  great  size  and  strength  of  the 
lower  jaw,  resembles  the  Orangs  of  the  eastern  world  ;  but  is 
readily  distinguished  from  them  by  the  great  size  of  the  super- 
ciliary ridges,  by  the  straight  outline  of  the  face,  by  a  fifth  tuber- 
cle on  the  last  molar  of  the  lower  jaw,  by  the  existence  of  a  de- 
pression for  a  round  ligament  on  the  head  of  the  thigh-bone,  by 
the  more  anthropoid  character  of  its  pelvis,  and  by  having  the 
ulna  shorter  than  the  humerus. 

Mr.  Desor  exhibited  numerous  specinnens  of  Ostrea,  Ve- 
nus mercenaria,  Purpura  lapillus,  Buccinum  ohsoletum, 
&c.,  collected  by  himself  from  an  excavation  recently  made 
in  the  drift  at  Brooklyn,  New  York. 

They  were  found  in  a  deposit  of  grooved  and  striated  pebbles, 
forming  apparently  an  anticlinal  axis,  on  both  sides  of  which  are 
overlying  strata  of  sand  and  clay,  inclining  in  both  a  northerly 
and  southerly  direction,  the  shells  being  in  the  upper  portion  of 
the  gravel  bed.  This  shows  the  area  of  the  fossiliferous  drift 
formation  to  be  more  extensive  than  has  been  supposed. 

Mr.  Desor  exhibited  other  delicate  Shells,  Mya  arenaria,  and 
Tellina  Groeiilandica,  from  the  drift  at  Westport,  on  Lake 
Champlain,  which  were  in  such  a  state  of  integrity  as  to  render 
it  probable  that  they  had  lived  where  they  were  found. 

Dr.  Storer  gave  some  notices  of  our  Torpedo.  He  re- 
marked, 

"  Although  I  had  previously  observed  that  the  Torpedo  occi- 
dentalis  was  '  undoubtedly  a  Southern  species,'  (see  Proceedings 


^48 

of  Hist.  Nat.  Society,  [vol.  ii.  p.  71,)  I  had  never  received  any 
positive  information  of  its  being  taken  south  of  Cape  Cod,  until  I 
visited  Gay  Head,  in  August,  1846.  While  on  a  visit  at  that 
place,  I  learned  from  Capt.  Learned  West,  of  Chilmark,  and  Mr. 
Samuel  Flanders,  keeper  of  the  light-house  at  Gay  Head,  that  in 
Chilmark,  three  miles  from  Gay  Head,  they  had  known  at  least 
fifteen  or  twenty  of  this  species  to  be  taken  by  hook  and  line,  and 
also  in  seines,  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  for  several  successive 
years." 

Dr.  Cabot  remarked,  that  he  had,  last  year,  stated  the 
occurrence  of  the  Arctic  Tern  and  Roseate  Tern,  at  Bev- 
erly, Mass.     He  had  this  year  procured  specimens  of  both. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  stated  that  the  Blue-fish,  Temnodon 
saltator,  had  been  caught,  in  considerable  abundance,  at 
Nahant. 

Dr.  Gould  stated,  that  a  box,  containing  stalks  of  Maize, 
fifteen  feet  in  length,  had  been  received  from  President 
Malcom,  of  Georgetovi^n,  Kentucky. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.  Part  39,  For  July.  London,  1847. 
By  purchase. 

J.  J.  Audubon  and  J.  Bachman.  Viviparous  Quadrupeds  of 
North  America.     Vol.1.     New  York,  1847.     From  Subscribers. 

Silliman's  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts.  2d  Series, 
No.  10.     For  July,  1847.      Editors. 

Magazine  of  Horticulture,  &c.  No.  150.  For  June,  1847. 
Editor. 

Magazine  of  H^orticulture.  Edited  by  C.  M.  Hovey.  No.  152, 
for  August,  1847.     8vo.  pamph.     By  exchange. 

Origin  of  the  Grand  Outline  Figures  of  the  Earth.  By  James 
D.  Dana.     8vo.  pamph.     New  Haven,  1847. 

Geological  Effects  of  the  Earth's  Cooling  from  a  slate  of  Igne- 
ous Fusion.  By  J.  D.  Dana.  8vo.  pamph.  New  Haven,  1847. 
The  Author. 


249 

September  15,  1847. 
A.  A.  Gould,  M.  D.,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Wyman  stated  that  he  had  received  a  letter  from  Dr. 
Savage,  giving  Prof.  Owen's  opinion  of  the  Simla,  portions 
of  whose  skeleton  were  laid  before  the  Society  at  a  late 
meeting. 

Prof.  Owen  intimates  that  they  may  be  those  of  an  adult  Chim- 
panzee, from  which  remark  Dr.  Wyman  inferred  that  Prof  Owen 
could  not  have  seen  an  adult  Chimpanzee  ;  the  British  Museum, 
and  the  Hunterian  Collection  do  not  contain  such.  Dr.  Wyman 
has  had  the  opportunity  of  comparing  the  remains  in  question 
with  eight  specimens  of  the  adult  Chimpanzee  in  the  Cabinets  of 
Boston  and  Philadelphia. 

Dr.  Kneeland  exhibited  the  skull  of  a  Woodchuck,  show- 
ing a  curious  elongation  and  distortion  of  the  upper  incisors. 

They  were  deflected  to  the  right,  so  that  the  extremity  of  the 
right  incisor  was  about  7-8ths  of  an  inch  to  the  right  of  the  me- 
dian line  of  the  jaw.  The  left  incisor,  also  deflected  to  the  right, 
had  curved  to  meet  the  maxillary  bone  on  the  right  side  ;  which 
it  had  perforated  to  the  extent  of  an  inch,  a  little  before  the  molar 
teeth,  displacing  the  infra-orbital  foramen  upwards  and  outwards; 
its  vertex  about  half  an  inch  from  the  median  line.  The  vertex 
of  the  right  incisor  was  not  chisel-shaped,  but  rounded  ;  that  of 
the  left  more  pointed.  Their  anterior  surface  was  considerably 
worn  away  by  the  lower  incisors.  As  the  lower  jaw  was  want- 
ing, he  could  not  say  whether  it  contained  more  than  one  incisor, 
though  perhaps  the  extent  of  worn  surface  on  the  upper  incisors 
would  indicate  the  existence  of  two  lower  incisors.  The  right 
incisor,  measuring  the  convexity  of  the  curve,  was  three  inches 
long  ;  the  left  very  nearly  four  inches ;  length  of  alveolar  por- 
tion one  and  one-third  inches. 

Dr.  Wyman  exhibited  the  Cranium  of  an  Otter,  (Lutra 
Americana,)  showing  the  manner  of  the  articulation  of  the 
lower  jaw  with  the  cranium.    The  two  were  so  fitted  to  each 

PROCEEDINGS  B.  S.  N.  H.  22  DECEMBER,  1847. 


250 

other,  that  unless  the  two  halves  of  the  lower  jaw  are 
separated  at  the  symphysis,  they  cannot  be  dislocated  at  the 
temporo-maxillary  articulation. 

Dr.  Gould  read  a  letter  from  Dr.  B.  L.  C.  Wailes,  of 
Washington,  Miss.,  containing  notices  of  Fossils  from  the 
Natchez  bluffs  and  Vicksburg,  specimens  of  which  he  had 
sent  to  the  Society. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Gould,  it  was 

Voted,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  tender  to  the  Asso- 
ciation of  Geologists  and  Naturalists  the  use  of  the  Hall  of  the 
Society,  and  of  its  Cabinet  and  Library,  during  their  approaching 
session  in  this  city. 

Mr.  Frederick  Billaud  was  elected  a  Member  of  the  So- 
ciety. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    CABINET. 

Casts  of  Fossil  Shells  from  New  Holland,  collected  by  the 
Exploring  Expedition,  and  recently  described  by  Mr.  Dana,  in 
Silliman's  Journal.    From  J.  D.  Dana,  Esq.,  of  New  Haven. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

American  Journal  of  Agriculture  and  Science,  for  July,  1847. 
From  the  Editors. 

Siedhof.  Deutschland's  Stubenvogel.  12mo.  Braunschweig. 
1845. 

Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences.  Vol.  I. 
No.  5.  Vol.  III.  Nos.  1,  2,  and  Title-page  and  Index  to  Vol.  II. 
From  the  Academy. 

Deleuze.  Histoire  et  Description  du  Museum  Royal  d'  His- 
toire  Naturelle.  2  vols.  8vo.  Paris,  1823.  From  A.  Vattemare. 
By  Exchange. 


251 

October  6,  1847. 
J.  C.  Warren,  M.  D.,  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Mr.  Alger  read  remarks  on  a  Mineral  specimen,  which  he 
exhibited,  and  had  lately  received  from  Dr.  Feuchtwanger 
as  a  new  species. 

Mr.  Alger  suspected,  from  its  gem-like  appearance,  hardness, 
and  weight,  that  it  might  be  allied  to  the  Sapphire  class  ;  and  on 
further  examination,  pronounced  it  a  splendid  red  Sapphire,  or 
Corundum.  It  is  from  Cherokee  County,  Georgia.  Mr.  Alger's 
paper  will  be  published  in  the  Journal. 

Dr.  Gould  gave  descriptions  of  the  following  species  of 
Shells  from  the  collection  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

Bulla  parallela.  Testa  parva,  tenuis,  cylindracea,  lactea, 
antice  rotundata,  postice  conica,  imperforata,  longitudinaliter 
minutissime  striata,  ad  verticem  et  ad  basim  striis  undulatis  de- 
cussata  :  apertura  angusta,  deorsum  dilatata  ;  columella  callo 
haud  appresso  induta  ;  labro  ultra  spiram  adscendente,  tunc  de- 
orsum intorta.     Long.  ^^^,  lat.  ^  poll.     Hah. 

Much  smaller  and  thinner  than  B.  solidula,  though  striated  at 
the  ends  like  h,  and  having  the  same  conformation  of  the  lip.  Its 
sides  also  are  parallel  and  not  bulging. 

Tornatella  bullata.  Testa  parva,  ovata,  tenuis,  albida, 
epidermide  stramineo  fugacissimo  induta,  spiraliter  sulcata,  sulcis 
linearibus  ad  5  ordinatim  dispositis  in  singulis  anfractibus  :  spira 
prominula,  turrita  ;  anfr.  5  tabulatis,  ultimo  magno,  ventricoso, 
15-sulcato,  supernis  planulatis ;  sutura  canaliculata :  apertura 
semilunaris  ;  columella  uniplicata,  planulata.  Long.  J-,  lat.  -^ 
poll.     Dredged  off  Patagonia. 

This  little  species,  like  T.  puncto- striata  and  T.  veniista,  to 
which  it  is  allied,  has  not  the  ivory  surface  of  most  species.  It 
is  well  characterized  by  its  form  and  sculpture. 

Haliotis  crispata.  Testa  parva,  tenuis,  convexa,  elongato- 
ovalis,  undulis  obliquis  angulatis  divaricantibus  rugata,  spiraliter 
striata,  rubida :  spira  elevata,  sub-mediana ;  foraminibus  parvis, 


252 

circularibus,  confertis,  ad  septenis  perviis,  extrorsum  canalicula- 
tis ;  intiis  undulosa,  nitida,  argentea.  Long.  If,  lat.  f  poll. 
With  New  Holland  shells. 

About  the  size  and  form  of  H.  stomaticB-formis,  Reeve,  but 
distinguished  from  all  others  by  its  crowded  angular  ripples, 
arranged  somewhat  like  the  colors  on  H.  ziczac.  No  shell  ap- 
proaches it  in  this  respect  except  the  very  young  of  H.  australis. 

ScALARiA  GRACiLENTA.  Testa  miuuta,  gracilis,  elongato-tur- 
rita,  alba,  costis  longitudinalibus  tenuibus  ad  16  clathrata,  spirali- 
ter  inter  costas  striata,  imperforata  :  spira  anfr.  9  cylindraceis, 
contiguis ;  sutura  profunda:  apertura  circularis,  ab  anfractu 
penultimo  baud  sejuncta  ;  labro  continuo,  reflexo,  postice  et  ad 
columellse  basim  dilatato.  Long.  ^,  lat.  -^^  poll.  Hob.  Mangsi 
Island. 

One  of  the  most  slender  and  delicate  species  of  the  genus,  re- 
sembling the  figure  of  S.  gracilis,  Sowb.,  but  agreeing  still  more, 
in  its  characters,  with  his  S.  turricula. 

ScALARiA  TEXTURATA.  Tcsta  parva,  tenuis,  elongato-turrita, 
rubescens,  sub-perforata  :  spira  anfr.  8  rotundatis,  fere  solutis, 
costis  9  albidis  elevatis  reflexis  superne  spinosis  clathrata,  et 
striolis  inter  costas  confertissime  texturata  :  apertura  circularis. 
Lat.  -^,  alt.  -^  poll.     Hah. 

A  very  pretty,  slender  species,  and  well  characterized  by  the 
numerous  striae  between  the  ribs,  forming  a  delicate  net-work. 
It  is  allied  to  S.  turricula^  Sowb.,  which  has  only  revolving  lines, 
is  less  conical,  and  the  whorls  less  rounded. 

LiTTORiNA  ciNCTA.  Testa  parva,  rudis,  conico-globosa,  fuli- 
ginosa,  interdum  albido-zonata,  costulis  elevatis  rotundatis  ordi- 
natis  cincta,  interspatiis  excavatis  et  minutissime  decussatim 
striatis  :  spira  conica,  acuta;  anfr.  5  ventricosis,  ultimo  ampul- 
laceo ;  sutura  bene  impressa  :  apertura  ampla,  sub-circularis  ; 
labro  acuto,  fusco-marginato  ;  columella  alba,  planulata,  ad  basim 
expansa.     Axis  |,  diam.  J-  poll.     Hah.  Puget  Sound. 

More  globular  and  proportionally  shorter  than  any  described 
species.  Generally  resembles  L.  striata,  btit  is  still  less  elonga- 
ted, less  solid,  and  has  the  ribs  larger  and  less  numerous,  and  its 
color  more  dusky.     It  may  also  be  compared  with  L.  hreviculus. 


253 

The  President  reported  that  he  had,  in  conformity 
with  a  vote  of  the  Society,  communicated  to  Mrs.  Binney, 
and  the  children  of  the  late  President,  the  thanks  of  the 
Society  for  the  liberal  donation  received  from  them,  in  aid 
of  the  fund  for  the  purchase  and  adaptation  of  the  new 
building.     A  copy  of  the  letter  was  submitted. 

Dr.  Shurtleff  having  given  notice  that  the  amount  appro- 
priated for  the  repairs  of  the  building  had  been  expended, 
he  was  authorized  to  expend  $1000  more,  if  necessary. 

Mr.  Edward  C.  Cabot,  and  Mr.  Waldo  I.  Burnett,  of  Bos- 
ton, and  Mr.  B.  C.  Pierce,  of  Beverly,  were  elected  members 
of  the  Society. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Brieslak.  Institutions  Geologiques.  3  vols.  8vo.  Milan,  1818. 
From  A.  Vattemare.     By  Exchange. 

Desnoyers.  Recherches  Geologiques  et  Historiques  sur  les 
Cavernes,  et  particulierement  sur  les  Caverns  a  Ossemens.  8vo. 
Paris,  1845.     From  the  Same. 

Silliman's  Journal.  No.  11.  For  September,  1847.  From 
the  Editors. 

Annals  of  the  Lyceum  of  Natural  History  of  New  York.  Vol. 
IV.     Nos.  10  and  11.     July,  1847.     From  the  Lyceum. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  Nos.  131  and  132. 
August  and  September,  1847.     From  the  Courtis  Fund. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.  Part  40.  September,  1847.  From 
the  Courtis  Fund. 

Magazine  of  Horticulture.  No.  153.  For  September,  1847. 
By  Exchange. 


October  20,  1847. 

J.  C.  Warren,  M.  D.,  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Gould  read   portions  of  a  letter  from  Dr.  Wyman, 
containing  notices  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  at 


254 

Philadelphia,  and  showing  that  Institution  to  be  in  a  condi- 
tion of  activity  and  prosperity  well  calculated  to  excite  emu- 
lation. 

Mr.  Teschemacher  exhibited  the  stem  of  an  arborescent 
Yucca,  the  head  of  which  had  been  destroyed  — 

It  had  thrown  out  numerous  adventitious  buds  from  the  lower 
part.  These  buds  were  arranged  in  a  regular  spiral  direction, 
and  the  whole  appearance  of  the  stem  resembled  very  closely 
the  figure  of  Halonia  regularis,  (Lindl.  &  Button,  vol.  iii.  tab. 
228.)  This,  being  the  abnormal  state  of  this  plant,  might,  he 
thought,  account  for  the  scarcity  of  specimens  of  Halonia. 

He  also  exhibited  transverse  sections  of  these  buds,  showing 
their  origin  in  the  central  cellular  substance  of  the  stem,  the  ex- 
ternal portion  of  the  stem  (the  false  bark)  being  a  mass  of  closely 
compact  vascular  matter  one-fourth  to  one-half  an  inch  thick, 
through  which  the  buds  pass,  in  a  conical  form  ;  he  compared 
these  with  a  beautiful  specimen  of  some  symmetrically  arranged 
conical  forms,  impressed  with  vascular  appearances,  found  in  the 
body  of  the  Anthracite  coal  of  Pennsylvania. 

He  also  presented  some  conical  forms,  composed  of  distinct 
and  separate  fibres,  in  the  fine  interstices  of  which  were  numer- 
ous microscopic  but  perfect  crystals  of  Carbonate  of  Iron.  These 
specimens  he  had  obtained  thirty  years  ago,  from  coal  and  iron 
mines  in  England  ;  but  until  the  present  time,  he  had  not  been 
able  to  get  any  light  on  their  singular  but  very  distinct  structure. 
Two  of  them  are  still  embedded  in  the  rocky  mass.  He  now 
thinks  these  conical  forms  are  of  vegetable  origin. 

He  remarked,  that  Analogy,  not  Identity,  was  the  object  to  be 
pursued  in  our  present  researches  into  fossil  vegetation  ;  he 
thought  the  analogy  close,  between  the  false  vascular  bark  of  the 
Yucca  and  the  so-called  bark  of  many  Sigillarise;  that  the  slight 
impressions  on  the  soft  internal  part  of  the  Yucca,  left  by  the 
apices  of  the  conical  buds,  were  analogous  to  those  seen  on  Sigil- 
larise  on  removing  the  carbonized  bark. 

He  thought  it  not  improbable,  from  the  great  resemblance  of 
the  scars  of  buds  on  the  external  part  of  the  stem  of  Yucca,  to 
the  markings  on  Sigillariae  and  Lepidodendra,  that  many  of  these 
markings  are  scars  of  buds,  instead  of  those  of  leaves.     He  ex- 


255 

hibited  a  specimen  of  a  carbonized  stem  in  the  Antliracite  coal, 
witli  a  distinct  branch  forming  an  angle  of  about  50°. 

He  finally  offered  his  opinion  that  a  careful  investigation  of 
tropical  plants,  in  their  native  forests,  would  show  analogies  ma- 
terially changing  the  present  received  ideas  of  fossil  vegetation. 

Dr.  Cabot  exhibited  fossils  from  the  neighborhood  of 
Moosehead  Lake  ;  Terebratute,  Spirifers,  and  Crinoidea, 
Prof.  Rogers  pronounced  them  analogous  to  those  of  the 
Hamilton  and  Chemung  groups  of  the  New  York  series. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

James  Hall.  Crinoidea  of  the  inferior  strata  of  the  New  York 
System.  Part  I.  4to.  pamph.  Albany,  1847.  From  the  Au- 
thor. 

S.  S.  Haldeman.  Materials  towards  a  History  of  the  Coleop- 
tera  Longicornia  of  the  United  States.  4to.  pamph.  Philadel- 
phia, 1847.     Fro?n  the  Author. 

Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadel- 
phia. Vol,  III.  No.  9.  ]\Iay  and  June,  1847.  From  the 
Academy. 

R.  W.  Gibbes.  Memoirs  of  the  Fossil  genus  Basilosaurus  ; 
with  notice  of  specimens  from  the  Eocene  Green  Sand  of  South 
Carolina.     4to.  pamph.     Philadelphia,  1847.     From  the  Author. 

Magazine  of  Horticulture.  No.  154.  October,  1847.  From 
C.  M.  Hovey,  Editor. 


Naoemher  3,   1847. 
J.  C.  Warren,  M.  D.  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  exhibited  several  Vertebrae,  dug  up 
in  a  clay  stratum,  near  the  bed  of  a  small  stream  in  Ma- 
chias,  Me.,  and  presented  by  Mr.  Temple,  of  that  place. 
They  were  found  at  the  depth  of  about  eight  feet.  Dr.  J. 
considered  them  to  be  those  of  a  Cetacean.  They  were 
committed  to  Count  Pourtales. 


256 

Mr.  Desor  inquired  whether  there  were  any  shells  found  with 
the  vertebrae  at  Machias,  Mr.  Temple  replied  in  the  negative, 
Mr.  Desor  remarked,  that,  from  the  position  of  the  bones,  they 
were  of  as  high  antiquity  as  those  of  the  Mastodon.  Mr.  Desor 
also  remarked  on  Mr.  LyelPs  theory  respecting  the  evidences 
furnished  by  shells  in  the  recent  formations,  as  to  the  condition 
of  climate  at  the  time  of  their  deposit,  and  stated  some  facts  at 
variance  with  that  theory. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  stated  that  there  were  three  strongly-marked 
gradations  in  the  Dikivium  of  Maine,  marked  by  their  character- 
istic fossils.  Pecten  Islandicus  was  found  all  along  the  coast, 
from  Kittery  Point  to  Lubec,  in  a  position  thirty  feet  lower  than 
Nucula,  so  abundant  at  Westbrook,  South  Berwick,  and  Portland. 
A  stratum  still  higher,  by  about  the  same  interval,  was  found  at 
Bangor,  with  still  different  genera  of  shells. 

Dr.  Gould  remarked,  that  Nucula  Jacksonii  and  Nucula  Port- 
landica  were  different  from  any  living  species  yet  found,  and 
these  are  the  only  ones,  in  the  clay  beds,  which  have  not  yet 
been  found  in  our  present  waters. 

Dr.  Jackson  also  exhibited  specimens  of  Copper  and 
Silver  Ore  from  Cliff  mines,  Lake  Superior,  showing  the 
metals  in  a  pure  state  in  immediate  contact,  yet  unalloyed  ; 
a  result  which,  he  stated,  had  not  as  yet  been  effected  by 
any  artificial  means,  and  difficult  to  explain  by  natural 
agencies. 

He  suggested  Electricity  as  the  cause,  and  stated  that  Prof. 
Locke  had  been  engaged  in  making  magnetic  observations  in  the 
mines,  some  of  the  results  of  which  he  stated. 

Dr.  Storer  exhibited  the  Jaw  of  Carcharias  griseus, 
Ayres  ;  and  Teeth  of  C.  obscurus,  the  only  Shark  yet  found 
in  our  waters  with  serrated  teeth. 

Dr.  Warren  exhibited  Casts  of  the  Bones  of  Dinornis 
gigas,  of  New  Holland,  and  compared  them  with  the  cor- 
responding bones  of  the  Ostrich,  which  they  greatly  exceed- 
ed in  length  and  bulk. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Whitwell  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Society. 


257 

November  17,  1847. 

J.  C.  Warren,  M.  D.,  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Cabot  read  a  paper  entitled  "  A  Comparison  between 
Sterna  Cantiaca,  Gm.  of  Europe,  and  Sterna  acuflavida, 
Nobis,  hitherto  considered  identical  with  S.  Cantiaca;'' 
specimens  were  exhibited.  The  following  measurements 
from  adult,  full-plumaged  specimens  were  given : 

American.  Mil 

Bill  along  ridge 

"        "     gape  .... 

From  the  nostril  to  the  point  of  the  bill  . 

Length  of  nostril        .... 

Length  of  lower  mandible  along  the  cen- 
tre, (measuring  to  the  feathers,) 

Length  of  do.  do.  along  the  side,  do.  do. 

Width    of    bill    at    commencement    of 
feathers 

Depth  of  do.  do.  do.  ... 

Length  of  wing  from  flexure 

Length  of  tail  to  tips  of  lateral  feathers 

Length  of  tarsus    ..... 

Middle  toe  without  the  claw 

Middle  claw  ..... 

Inner  toe  with  claw 

Outer  do.  do 

Thumb     ...... 

Besides  these  differences  in  measurement  of  parts  not  subject 
to  change  from  improper  stuflino,  &c.,  we  find  that  the  coloring 
differs  in  some  very  important  particulars.  In  the  American 
bird  the  yellow  is  strictly  confined  to  the  tip  of  the  bill,  and  the 
line  of  union  of  the  yellow  and  black  is  perpendicular  and  unbro- 
ken, whereas  in  the  European  bird  the  yellow  runs  up  to  the 
inner  edge  of  the  symphysis  on  the  under  side  of  the  lower  man- 
dible, and  almost  as  far  on  the  upper  edge  ;  and  on  the  upper 
mandible  also,  it  extends  both  on  the  edges  and  on  the  ridge 
much  higher  than  in  the  American  bird.     The  primaries  are 


limetres. 

European. 

49 

57 

64 

75 

36 

41 

6 

9 

41 

47 

51 

62 

8 

7i 

IH 

12^ 

290 

317 

136 

149 

25 

28 

18 

21 

^i 

9 

17 

20 

21 

26 

H 

8^ 

258 


much  darker  in  the  American  bird  than  in  the  European,  and 
the  white  line  which  runs  along  the  inner  edges  and  forms 
their  tips  in  the  European  bird,  disappears  in  the  American  be- 
fore it  gets  within  half  an  inch  of  the  tip  ;  besides  being  much 
narrower.  There  are  also  some  important  differences  in  form. 
The  projecting  point  at  the  symphysis  on  the  under  side  of  the 
lower  mandible  is  more  marked  in  the  American  than  in  the 
European  bird.  The  claws  of  the  European  bird  are  larger  and 
much  more  arched  than  those  of  the  American.  The  bill  of  the 
European  bird  is  much  narrower  in  proportion  than  the  Ameri- 
can, and  is  more  bent. 

The  specimen  of  S.  acujlavida  in  his  collection  was  procured 
at  Tancah,*  on  the  coast  of  Yucatan,  on  the  25th  of  April,  1842, 
and  is  mentioned  in  the  appendix  of  Mr.  Stephens's  Incidents  of 
Travel  in  Yucatan,  under  the  name  of  S.  Boysii. 

Dr.  Cabot  also  described  the  following  species  of  Wren, 
under  the  name  of  Troglodytes  albinucha. 


Total  length 

Length  of  wing  from  flexure 
"  tail 

*'  head  and  bill     . 

"  bill  along  the  ridge 

"  bill  along  the  gape 

Width  of  bill  at  feathers 

Depth  "  "         .         . 

Length  of  tarsus 

"  middle  toe  with  the  claw 

"  inner  toe       "  " 

'*  outer  toe       "  " 

"  thumb  ''  " 


Millimeires. 

.     140 

58 
.      51 

38 
.       17 

22 
.         3-i 
3f 
.       20 

22 
.       15 

16 
.       17 


The  bill  is  bent  from  the  base  to  the  tip.  The  claws  are  much 
curved  and  very  sharp.  The  head,  back,  and  upper  sides  of  the 
wings  and  tail,  brown  ;  a  line  of  white,  with  black  or  dark  brown 
intermixed,  passes  over  the   eye,  and  meets  with  a  similar  line, 

*  This  is  the  name  of  a  rancho  situated  on  the  site  and  amid  the  ruins  of  an 
aboriginal  city,  and  owned  by  the  sons  of  a  piratical  captain,  by  the  name  of 
Molas.  It  is  nearly  opposite  the  Southern  extremity  of  the  Island  of  Corumel, 
lat.  20°  15'  N. 


259 

which  passes  under  it,  and  they  form  a  patch  on  the  sides  of  the 
neck  extending  round  to  the  nape.  Chin,  throat,  and  breast 
white  ;  flanks  and  abdomen  h'ght  yellowish  brown,  darkest  near 
vent.  On  the  rump  are  some  white  and  dark  brown  or  black 
spots  intermixed  with  the  brown  of  the  rest  of  the  back.  Under  tail- 
coverts,  the  outermost,  and  oiAter  webs  of  next  three  tail-feathers, 
and  outer  edges  of  first  and  second  primaries,  barred  with  white 
or  yellowish  white,  and  dark  brown  or  black.  There  are  many 
black  bars  running  across  upper  side  of  wings  and  upper  tail- 
coverts.  The  four  middle  tail-feathers  are  brown,  with  many 
black  spots.  The  upper  mandible  is  dark  horn  color;  the  under 
mandible  is  the  same  at  its  tip,  but  is  almost  white  on  the  under 
side  and  at  base.  The  fourth  and  fifth  primaries  are  longest  and 
the  first  is  shortest. 

The  specimen  from  which  the  description  was  taken  was  the 
only  one  observed,  and  was  procured  near  Yalahao,  in  Yucatan, 
April  6th,  1842. 

Dr.  Cabot  also  announced  the  donation  from  Maj.  Town- 
send,  of  two  specimens  of  Birds  from  Arkansas,  namely, 
Icterus  xanthocephalus  and  Recurvirostra  Americana. 

Dr.  Gould  exhibited  specimens  of  Planorbis  muUivolvis, 
Case,  brought  by  Mr.  C.  J.  Foster  from  the  Lake  Superior 
region,  recently  described  by  Mr.  Case  in  Silliman's  Jour- 
nal. It  is  a  very  decidedly-marked  species.  Dr.  Gould 
thought  that  some  other  specimens  accompanying  them, 
allied  to  T.  hicarinatus,  were  also  new. 

Mr.  Peabody  presented  a  bottle  of  small  Fishes,  from 
Lake  Superior,  collected  at  the  suggestion  of  Prof.  Agassiz. 
He  also  exhibited  specimens  of  Fluor  Spar,  of  various  forms 
and  colors,  from  the  mine  of  C.  A.  Stickney,  Esq.  Shaw- 
neetown,  111.  He  also  pointed  out  crystals  of  Cadmium 
Blende,  of  which  he  gave  the  following  results  of  analysis  : 
Silica  4.800;  iron  6L000;  cadmium  3.100;  sulphur  31.000. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  exhibited  specimens  of  Copper  from 
the  Bruce  mine,  north  side  of  Lake  Superior ;  Copper  Py- 
rites and  Grey  Sulphuret  mixed  with  Quartz  rock,  of  a  rich- 
ness estimated  at  15  per  cent.     He  also  exhibited  a  lump  of 


260 

the  native  Copper  from  Isle  Royale,  from  a  vein  350  feet 
below  the  surface,  where   the   metal,  having  been  cooled 
under  vast  pressure,  might  be   expected  to  be  of  a  propor- 
tionate density  ;  on   comparison  with  other  specimens,  the 
specific  gravity  was  : 

Specimen  from  the  cliff  at  Keweenaw  Point        .         893.18 
Hammered  copper       ......     889. 

Native  copper,  under  ordinary  circumstances     .         858.40 

Mr.  J.  E.  Teschemacher  exhibited  a  specimen  of  Anthra- 
cite Coal,  on  which  was  a  mass  of  carbonized  wood  perfectly 
structural ;  in  the  centre  of  this  mass  ran  a  number  of  jointed 
vessels  (?),  spreading  out  in  various  directions;  other  masses 
on  this  specimen  contained  vessels  also. 

Mr.  T.  also  stated,  that  after  careful  examination  of  numerous 
specimens,  he  had  been  forced  to  the  conclusibn  that  many  of  the 
appearances  in  the  anthracite  coal  must  be  due  to  the  growth  of 
fungi  during  the  coal  epoch  ;  tha,t  many  specimens  exhibited 
what  might  easily  be  interpreted  as  Mycelia,  and  that  the  investi- 
gation of  the  decarbonized  matter  seemed  to  him  strongly  to 
support  this  view,  which,  in  presenting  a  lower  order  of  vegeta- 
tion at  that  period,  would  accord  with  the  plan  exhibited  in  other 
existences.  One  form  agrees  remarkably  with  a  figure  of  Hus- 
seia,  a  new  fungus,  given  by  Sir  W.  J.  Hooker  in  a  late  Number 
of  the  Journal  of  Botany.  He  stated  that  he  had,  within  a  f^w 
days,  discovered  several  more  specimens  of  the  vegetable  forms 
found  in  the  Shale,  including  some  of  the  rarest ;  and  that  in 
others  he  had  found  the  interior  of  large  stems  as  carbonized 
matter,  which,  if  it  proves  still  to  retain  its  original  structure,  as 
it  appears  to  do,  will  no  doubt  throw  light  on  the  analogy  of  the 
co^l  vegetation  to  that  of  the  present  period. 

Mr.  Desor  exhibited  a  sketch,  by  Mr.  Edward  C.  Cabot, 
of  the  remarkable  parallel  trains  of  Boulders  in  Berkshire 
County,  Massachusetts,  lately  described  by  Prof.  Rogers  in 
the  Society's  Journal. 

Mr.  D.  called  attention  particularly  to  the  fact  that  the  trains 
consisted  of  angular  boulders,  resting,  in  parts  of  their  route,  upon 
rounded  drift  pebbles.  Similar  facts  were  common  in  Switzer- 
land ;  but  so  far  as  hitherto  observed,  rare  in  this  country.     He 


261 

also  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  Glacier  theory  would  account 
for  this  phenomenon  as  well  as  any  that  has  yet  been  suggested  ; 
and  pointed  out,  on  a  map  of  the  glaciers  of  the  Alps,  similar 
trains  of  boulders  parallel  to  the  course  of  the  glaciers. 

The  President  exhibited  a  Cast,  lately  procured  from 
England,  of  the  lower  jaw  of  Mastodon  elephantoides ,  the 
original  of  which  was   brought  from  India  by  Dr.  Falconer. 

Dr.  Shurtleff  announced  the  donation  from  Dr.  W.  R. 
Lawrence,  of  a  series  of  foetal  Skeletons.  Thanks  were 
voted  to  Dr.  Lawrence  for  this  donation.  Also  the  acquisi- 
tion of  the  Skeleton  of  a  Bison,  and  a  Moose,  for  the  latter 
of  which,  the  Society  was  indebted  to  their  President. 

Dr.  Abbot  gave  an  account  of  the  Singing  Mouse,  which 
he  had  recently  seen  in  Philadelphia. 

This  mouse  was  captured  a  few  months  since  in  an  apartment 
where  Canary  birds  were  kept.  Its  note  resembles  very  much 
the  sounds  produced  by  a  whistle  made  of  quill,  when  blown  with 
its  extremity  in  a  vessel  of  water.  It  seems  to  be  as  near  an  im- 
itation of  that  of  a  Canary  bird,  as  its  organs  are  capable  of.  It 
consists  of  a  succession  of  very  rapid  trills,  interrupted  at  inter- 
vals by  a  few  mellow  warbling  notes,  with  rests  between  ;  and 
sometimes  a  few  notes  like  the  mild  chirp  of  the  American  robin 
while  unmolested  in  the  vicinity  of  its  young.  Sometimes  it  is  a 
rapid  repetition  of  two  notes  with  a  musical  interval  of  a  second 
between  ;  very  much  like  the  mocking  bird's  imitation  of  the 
creaking  of  a  wheelbarrow.  The  sound  is  kept  up  for  hours 
together  without  intermission,  and  although  perfectly  voluntary, 
it  does  not  interrupt  the  animal's  occupations,  not  even  feeding. 
It  is  produced  equally  during  inspiration  and  expiration  ;  it  is 
very  difficult  to  detect  any  difference  in  its  character  correspond- 
ing to  the  different  direction  of  the  air.  It  is  thought  by  the 
owner  of  the  animal  that  the  sound  comes  from  the  nose.  Dur- 
ing the  time  Dr.  Abbot  heard  it,  it  was  constantly  gnawing  the 
wires  of  its  cage,  producing  a  loud  noise  not  in  the  least  inter- 
fering with  its  music,  which  was  kept  up  incessantly  during  the 
half  hour  he  was  examining  it.  Its  movements  are  so  rapid, 
constantly  climbing  on  the  wires  of  its  cage,  and  gnawing  them, 


262 

that  it  was  extremely  difficult  to  fix  the  eye  long  enough  on  its 
muzzle  to  ascertain  precisely  how  the  sounds  were  produced. 
It  could  be  seen,  however,  that  there  was  a  constant  tremulous 
motion  of  the  upper  lips  and  snout.  On  bringing  the  ear  within 
three  inches  of  the  animal  while  singing,  it  was  very  evident  that 
the  interruptions  between  the  notes  and  their  various  modulations 
were  produced  as  the  sound  issued  from  the  vocal  organs,  rather 
than  in  the  throat.  It  usually  begins  its  song  at  9  or  10,  P.  M. 
and  continues  it  all  night ;  sometimes,  when  it  is  silent,  striking 
a  few  notes  on  the  piano  will  set  it  to  singing  again.  During  the 
day  it  sleeps  most  of  the  lime  ;  recently  it  has  sung  an  hour  or 
two  in  the  afternoon.  It  is  fed  on  Canary  seed  and  Indian  meal. 
Its  appearance  is  in  no  way  different  from  that  of  a  common 
mouse. 

Capt.  Charles  H.  Matthews,  of  Sault  St.  Marie,  and  Capt. 
Nathaniel  E.  Atwood,  of  Provincetown,  Mass.,  were  elected 
Corresponding  members. 

ADDITIONS    TO    THE    LIBRARY. 

Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadel- 
phia. Vol.  III.  No.  10.  July  and  August,  1847.  From  the 
Academy. 

Annals  and  Magazine  of  Natural  History.  No.  133.  October, 
1847.     8vo.     London.     From  the  Courtis  Fund. 

Proceedings  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences, 
pp.  49  to  160.  8vo.  pamph.    Boston,  1847.     From  the  Academy. 

Gray's  Genera  of  Birds.  Part  41.  London,  1847.  From  the 
Courtis  Fund. 

Map  of  that  part  of  the  Mineral  Lands  adjacent  to  Lake  Supe- 
rior.    Washington,  1847.     From  Hon.  R.  C.  Winthrop. 


December  \,  1847. 
J.  C.  Warren,  M.  D.,  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  Gould  stated,  that  among  the  Shells  collected  by 
Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior,  was  a 
npw  snecies  of  Physa,  which  he  exhibited  and   described  ; 


263 

together  with  two  other  new  species  of  North  American 

Shells. 

Physa  vinosa.  Testa  tenui,  ovato-globosa,  badia, 
spiraliter  minutissime  striata,  epidermide  tenui  in- 
duta  :  spira  obtusa,  anfr.  4,  ultimo  per-magno  : 
apertura  ovato-lunata,  {'  longitudinis  roquante,  he- 
patica  ;  columella  recta,  tenui.  Long,  f ,  lat.  -j-  poll. 
Brought  by  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  from  the  Lake  Superior  region. 

A  remarkably  inflated  species,  most  like  P.  ancillaria,  but  is 
not  shouldered,  nor  widest  behind  the  middle,  nor  tapering  ante- 
riorly. It  is  well  distinguished  by  its  thin  structure,  striated  sur- 
face, wine-red  color  externally,  and  liver-brown  internally. 

Pupa  decora.  Testa  minuta,  cylindracea, 
tenui,  nitida,  lucida,  vinosa,  tennuissime  striata, 
perforata  ;  spira  anfr.  5-6  ventricosis,  apice  ro- 
tundata ;  sutura  profunda  :  apertura  circulari, 
postice  truncata,  dentibus  4  armata,  quorum  uno 
postice,  uno  ad  columellam,  duobus  ad  labrum 
positis  ;  perislomate  vix  reflexo.  Long.  -^^, 
lat.  2-V  poll-  Brought  by  Mr.  T.  R.  Button  from 
the  region  of  Lake  Superior. 

It  is  rather  larger,  more  cylindrical,  and  darker  colored  than 
P.  corticaria.  Its  aperture  is  smaller  and  differently  armed.  In 
form,  color  and  armature  it  is  more  like  P.  Goiddii,  Binney, 
which  is  not  more  than  half  its  size. 

Natica  fossata.  Testa  depressa,  orbiculato-conica,  solida, 
tenuissime  striata,  cinereo-albida,  prope  suturam  purpurascente 
subtus  pallescente :  spira  anfr.  5  convexis,  decliventibus,  ad 
peripheriam  subangulatis :  apertura  semilunari,  fauce  hepatico, 
callo  columellari  regionem  umbilicalem  semi-obtegente,  castaneo  • 
umbilico  magno,  profundo,  canali  profundo,  precipiti,  epidermide 
stramineo  induto,  circumacto.  Lat.  If,  alt.  1^  poll.  Hab.  Flor- 
ida Coast. 

This  would  not  at  first  sight  be  distinguished  from  N.  duplicata. 
Say,  which  it  precisely  resembles  in  form  and  coloring.  But  the 
umbilical  region  is  entirely  different  ;  and  the  deep,  wide  chan- 
nel leading  to  the  umbilicus  and  covered  with  epidermis  is  in 
striking  contrast  with  the  pale,  polished  region  adjacent.  In  this 
aspect  it  is  like  N.  Lamarckiana. 


264 

December  15,  1847. 
J.  C.  Warren,  M.  D.  President,  in  the  Chair. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  communicated  a  letter,  addressed  to 
him  by  a  committee  of  the  French  Institute,  inviting  the 
cooperation  of  American  Naturahsts  in  erecting  a  Monument 
to  the  Memory  of  Geoffroy  St.  Hilaire.  He  advocated  the 
proposal ;  and,  after  remarks  by  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  and 
others,  it  was  Voted,  That  the  letter  be  submitted  to  a 
committee  of  three,  to  consider  and  report  thereon.  The 
President,  and  Drs.  C.  T.  and  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  vi^ere  chosen 
to  constitute  the  committee. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  presented,  on  behalf  of  Mr.  Joy,  a 
specimen  of  Coluber  occipito-maculatus. 

Dr.  Gould  presented,  on  behalf  of  Mr.  James  Mitchell,  of 
Nantucket,  a  portion  of  the  Cranium  of  a  Ray. 

Mr.  Ayres  exhibited  the  Jaws  of  Carcharias  ceruleus, 
Dekay,  showing  that  the  teeth  are  serrated  ;  as  Dr.  Storer 
had  remarked  at  a  previous  meeting,  that  C.  obscurus,  Le 
Sueur,  was  the  only  Shark  known  on  the  Massachusetts 
coast  with  serrated  teeth.  He  exhibited  also  the  Jaws  of 
C.  griseus. 

It  may  be  doubted,  whether  this  species  can  be  retained  in 
the  genus  Carcharias.  The  teeth  are  very  similar  to  those  of 
Scyllium  ;  but  from  that  genus  it  is  separated  by  the  position  of 
the  dorsal  fins  and  by  the  absence  of  spiracles.  The  teeth  of 
Carcharias  are  hollow  at  the  base  ;  in  this  specimen  Mr.  A.  had 
cut  two  of  the  teeth  across,  near  the  base,  showing  that  they 
were   solid. 

Mr.  Desor  remarked,  that  the  species  might  probably  be  in- 
cluded in  the  genus  Odontaspis  of  Agassiz. 

Mr.  F.  J.  Bumstead  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Society. 


INDEX  TO  VOL.   II 


Acanthias  Americanus,  234. 
Achatina  accincta,  20. 
adusta,  26. 

costulata,  13. 

Griffilhsii,  14. 

iota,  13. 

pellucens,  13. 

■ Phillipsii,  13. 

■  prupinqua,  13. 

lurricula,  20. 

vicina,  14. 

Achatinella  acuminata,  200. 

cerealis,  201. 

cingula,  21. 

ellipsoidea,  200. 

fuliginosa,  23. 

guttula,  201. 

inornata,  21. 

niarmorata,  200. 

microstoma,  23. 

mustelina,  21. 

nuhilosa,  20. 

nucleola,  23. 

picta,  21. 

radiata,  27. 

— ■ rubens,  27. 

striatula,  28. 

. veiiusta,  21, 

vestita,  20. 

viridans,  20. 

Actinia,  51. 

Adams,  C.  B.    New  species  of  Jamaica 
shells,  1.— Mnllusca  of  Jamaica,  132. 
Addresses,  annual,  40,  41,  232. 
Alosa  cyanonoton,  242. 

lineata,  242. 

Ammonia,  in  snow,  217. 
Amnicola  cincla,  100. 
Amphidesma  Jayanum,  10. 
Anas  Americana,  US. 

Penelope,  118. 

Ancylus  aduncus,  210. 

Area  tenera,  9. 

Argyreiosus  unimaculatus,  78. 


Bacon  J.  Polythalamia  from  Sahara, 
164.— Examination  of  Gun  Cotton, 
195. 

PROCEEDINGS    B.  S.  N.  H.  2 


Bailey,  J.  W.  Infusoria  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi river,  33. 

Balea  peregrin  a,  198. 

Balistes  aurantiacus,  72. 

BiNNEY,  Amos.  On  the  land  Mollusks 
of  Florida,  25.— On  fossils,  &c.  from 
Natchez  bluffs,  126. — Resolutions  on 
the  death  of,  216. 

Boulder  trains  of  Berkshire  County, 
Mass.,  79,  260. 

Bouve,  T.  T.  Description  of  Pygoryn- 
chus  Gouldii,  192. 

Brazoria,  56. 

Buccinum  candidissimum,  2 

concinnum,  2. 

obesum,  2. 

Bulimus  armatus,  19. 

ciliatus,  191. 

claucinus,  20. 

elobatus,  190. 

hyliridus,  191. 

junceus,  191. 

Iceviusculus,  13. 

moniliferus,  99. 

morosus,  190. 

octonoides,  12. 

pallidus,  12. 

procerus,  13. 

prolatus,  191. 

pruninus,  191. 

pumicatus,  19. 

scutilus,  20. 

striateila,  13. 

turnix,  101, 


Bulla  parallela,  251. 


Cabinet,  Donations  to,  by 
Abbot,  S.  L.  53. 
Adams,  C.  B.  17. 
Aker,  F.  222. 
Baird,  S.  F.  53. 
Ballard,  W.  53. 
Barratt,  J    60. 
Bartlett,  Mr    163. 
Bates,  C.J.  36. 
Binnev. A.  135. 
Blake;  Mr.  26. 
Brewer,  N.  87, 


266 


Cabinet, Donations  to,  by  {Continued.) 

Brown,  B.  180. 

Brown,  G.  39. 

Cabot,  S.  Jr.  36,  72,  156. 

Carlton,  J.  H.  94. 

Case,  W.  72. 

Clark,  D.  C.  53. 

Coale,  E.  VV.  114. 

Cobb,  J.  60. 

CoUamore,  G.  W.  35. 

Cragin,  F.  W.  46,  114. 

Dana,  J,  D.  250. 

Davis,  C.  H.  163. 

Ditson,  G.  39,  135,  156. 

Everett,  Mrs.  A.  H.  89. 

Foster,  Mrs.  B.  F.  63. 

Gibbes,  R.  W.  130. 

Greene,  T.  A.  83. 

Hale,  C.  S.  32. 

Henderson,  J.  244. 

Jackson,  C.  T.  17. 

Jackson,  J.  B.  S.  58. 

Kimball,  M.  53. 

Kirilaiid,  J.  P.  38. 

Kneeland,  S.  Jr.  241. 

Leidy,  J.  72. 

Loring,  H.  Jr.  94. 

Malcom,  H.  243. 

Marsh,  Mr.  32. 

Mercer,  L.  B.  122. 

Mitchell,  James,  264. 

Ogden,  Mr.  53. 

Perknis,  G.  A.  39,241. 

Perry,  M.  S.  130. 

Phillips,  J.  S.  135. 

Rogers,  H    D.  17. 

Savage,  T.  S.  244. 

Shurlleff,  N.  B.  122, 

Sprague,  T.  60. 

Storer,  D.  H    145. 

Sturgis,  R.  130. 

Teschemacher,  J.  E.  2,  46. 

Tuomey,  M.  58. 

Wes'on,  E.  46. 

Whiltemore,  T.  J.  236. 

Wymai),  J.   139. 
Caeut,  S.  Jr.     On  the  European  and 

American  Widgeons,    118. — On  Te- 

trao  cupido,  120. — On  Pyranga  roseo- 

gularis,    187. — On    Sterna    cantiaca, 

257.  —  On    Troglodytes    albinucha, 

258.  />    '^c*      1  "' 
Calyptraea'badiosa,  161. 

chloriiia,  161. 

fastigiata,  161. 

Carcharias  griseus,  264. 

obscurus,  264. 

Cardita  ovata,  9. 
Castoroides  Ohioensis,  138,  167. 
Caverns  containing  fossil  bones,  264. 
Cephalapsis,  102. 

Cerithium  algicola,  5. 
ambiguum,  4. 


Cerithium  bicolor,  5. 

'  gibberulum,  5. 

gracilentum,  22". 

iota,  5. 

laciniosnm,  23. 

maculosum,  22, 

niutabile,  5. 

— variabile,  5. 

Cervus  alces,  187. 

larandus,  187. 

Chemnitzia  babylonia,  6. 
Chiton  contossus,  143. 

costatus,  8. 

denliens,  145. 

■  erythronolus,  9. 

fruticosus,  142. 

incanus,  145. 

jaspideus,  143. 

jugosus,  142. 

lignosus,  142. 

multicoslatus,  8. 

muscosus,  145. 

papillosus,  9. 

peialoides,  144. 

platessa,  143. 

pruinosus,  144. 

puniceus,  143. 

purpurascens,  9. 

quercinus,  142. 

squalidus,  8. 

squamiilosus,  8. 

viridulus,  144. 

Cicada  septemdecim,  162. 
Clypeaster,  193. 
Columbella  palumbina,  27. 

purpurascens,  2. 

— subcostulata,  2. 

Copper,  Lake  Superior,  57,  110. 
Coryphoena,  241. 
Craniomeler,  118. 

Cranium  of  a  polar  bear,  163. 
Crawfish  of  the  Mammoth  Cave,  193, 
Crepidula  lingulata,  160. 

numniana,  160. 

rostriformis,  160. 

Crustacea,  catalogue  of,  69. 
Cyclostoma  Brownii,  11. 

diatrelum,  205. 

Duffianum,  3. 

fusco-lincalum,  11. 

Hillianum,  11. 

lima,  11. 

maritimum,  102. 

obJigatum,  205. 

plicalum,  205. 

pulchrius,  11. 

roseum,  205. 

scituhim,  206. 

strigalum,  204. 

terebrale,  206. 

tiara,  204. 

vallatum,  206. 

Cylindrella  Cumingii,  14. 


267 


Cylindrella  cylindrus,  14. 

pygma_'a,  14. 

seniinuda,  14. 

Cyprsea  gemmula,  27.     " 

" insecta,  24. 

semiplola,  24. 

spadix,  25. 

sph.Trula,  24. 

unifasciata,  25. 


Damourite,  107. 

Darbya,  115. 

Deane,  James.     Illustrations  of  fossil 

foot-marks,  32. 
Decapoda  brachyura,  63. 
Delphi iius  globiceps,  243. 
Depairia,  85. 
Dinornis  gigas,  256. 
Distorted  incisors  in  Rodentia,  158,249. 
Dombeya  fasciata,  21  i. 

obovata,  211. 

Donations,  by  John  Parker,  Esq.  29. 
Drift,   phenomena  of,  247. — At  South 

Boston,  131. 


Echinolampas,  193. 
Elephas  Indicus,  116. 
Emarginula  aspera,  154. 

cinerea,  155. 

ferruginea,  154. 

ossea,  155. 

Engelmann,     George.       Plants    of 

Texas,  55. 
Epeira,  180. 
Erato  cypraeoides,  1. 
Esox  lucius,  106. 
Etheostoma  caerulea,  47. 

cinerea,  49. 

tesselata,  48. 

Eulima  Jamaicensis,  6. 
Exoglossum  dubium,  49. 


Fissurella  cratitia,  155. 

cruciata,  156. 

■  elongata,  8. 

occidens,  156. 

verna,  155. 

Fluate  of  linie  in  Cannel  coal,  109. 

Forsyth,  J.  B.  Notices  of  the  Trout 
of  Sandwich,  203. 

Fossil  shells  in  silicified  limestone,  123. 

Fossil  vegetation,  123,  146,  254,  260. 

Fremont,  Capt.,  Journey  of  Discovery, 
90. 

Fucus  muricoides,  3. 

Fuligula  spectabilis,  93. 

GiBBEs,  L.  R.  Catalogue  of  the  Crus- 
tacea in  the  Society's  Cabinet,  68. 

Gould,  A.  A.  New  species  of  land 
shells  from  the  Sandwich  Islands,  26. 


— Shells  from  the  coast  of  Liberia, 
37.— Shells  from  Florida,  53.— On 
new  Shells  from  Tavoy,  in  Burmah, 
93,  218.— On  the  Shells  collected  by 
the  United  States  Exploring  Expedi- 
tion, 141,  148,  153,  159,  165,  170,  175, 
180,  182,  190,  196,  200,  204,  208,  210, 
214,  222,237,251. 

Gray,  Asa.  Plants  of  Texas,  55.— Oa 
the  Santalacea),  115. 

Gun-cotton,  195. 


Haliotis  crispata,  251. 
Helicina  affinis,  102. 

berylina,  202. 

fulgora,  201. 

laciniosa,  19. 

Leana,  11. 

lineata,  12. 

— multicolor,  202. 

musiva,  201. 

pallida,  202. 

rotelloidea,  19. 

• solitaria,  12. 

trochlea,  202. 

uberta,  202. 

Helix  albolabris,  anatomy  of,  57. 

anguina,  218. 

arboreoides,  16. 

bursatella,  175. 

calva,  179. 

cicercula,  171. 

Cressida,  176. 

cryptoportica,  171. 

cullrata,  172. 

daedalea,  173. 

depressa,  16. 

devia,  165. 

dioscoricola,  16. 

epistylium,  17. 

Eurydice,  177. 

exaequata,  171. 

fornicata,  172. 

gradata,  172. 

gulosa,  165. 

hepatizon,  38. 

honesta,  99. 

intercarinata,  18. 

irradiata,  178. 

Jayana,  17. 

jugosa,  19. 

labiosa,  165. 

loricata,  165. 

lurida,  179. 

lyrata,  167. 

mutata,  167. 

nemoraloides,  15. 

obolus,  175. 

opalina,  16. 

pedestris,  166. 

pellucida,  16. 

peracuiissima,  15. 


268 


Helix  peraffinis,  16. 

pertenuis,  172. 

pusillus.  171. 

refuga,  99. 

rubiginosa,  173. 

rubricata,  178. 

ruida,  178. 

saturnia,  98. 

saxatilis,  171. 

Scorpio,  178. 

sincera,  16. 

sporlella,  167. 

strigosa,  166. 

subconica,  15. 

subpyramidalis,  15. 

subrutila,  19. 

sublilissima,  177. 

tenerrima,  16. 

tentoriolum,  176. 

tiara,  19. 

Troilus,  176. 

tumulus,  175. 

ziczac,  166. 

Hentz,  C.  A.     Descriptions  of  Fishes 

from  Alabama,  48,  51. 
Hipponix  imbricata,  161. 
Huro  nigricans,  184. 
Hydrarchos  Sillimani,  65,  94. 


Infusoria  of  the  Mississippi  river,  33. 


Jackson,  C.  T.  On  the  importance  of 
the  science  and  art  of  Mining,  110. — 
Chemical  analysis  of  Lava,  from  Ha- 
waii, 120. — Analysis  of  Snow,  217. 

Jackson,  J.  B.  S.  On  the  fossil  bones 
of  Mastodon  gigauteus,  60. 


KiRTLAND,  J.  p.     Supplement  to  his 
Fishes  of  Ohio,  49. 


Lake  Superior,  Geology  of,  125. 

Lava,  analysis  of,  120. 

Leidy,  J.  Anatomy  of  Littorina  angu- 
lifera,  52. — Anatomy  of  Helix  albola- 
bris,  57. — On  the  existence  of  the 
Sac  of  the  Dart  in  certain  Mollusks, 
59. 

Leiodon  echinatum,  174. 

Leplocephalus  gracilis,  76. 

Letters,  from  Agassiz,  Prof.,  45  ;  As- 
sociation of  American  Geologists  and 
Naturalists,  44;  Bartlett,  J.,  96; 
Browne,  F.  B.  E.,  213,  235;  Chap- 
man, A.  W.,  209;  Couper,  J.  H., 
123 ;  D'Orbigny,  Alcide,  235 ;  For- 
syth, Dr.,  203  ;  Hall,  J.,  103  ;  Hentz, 
N.  M.,  235;  Hubbard,  O.  P.,  157  ; 
Institute  of  France,  264;  Jackson,  C. 


T.,  57  ;  Kirtland,  J.  P.,  52;  Lienard, 
M.,58,  Lister,  G.,  94;  Mason,  F., 
58,  208,  210  ;  Norwood,  J.  G.,  102  ; 
Perkins,  G.  A.,  241;  Salisbury,  A. 
G.,  59  ;  Smith,  J.  L.,  236  ;  Society, 
Mass.  Horticultural,  177;  Squier, 
Mr.,  236  ;  Thompson,  Z.,  145. 
Leuciscus  croceus,  48. 

gibbosus,  48. 

obesus,  48. 

prolixus,  48. 

Library,  Donations  to,  by 

American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sci- 
ences, 262. 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, 35, 86, 105, 163, 173, 189, 
196,233,  240,  250,255,  262. 
Academy,  Royal  Bavarian,  169. 
Adams,  C.  B.,  72,  189. 
Alger,  F.,  89. 

Association  of  Geologists  and  Natu- 
ralists, 122. 
Association,  Mercantile  Library,  New- 
York,  212. 
Audubon  Fund,  36,  38,  40,  47,  55,  64, 
83,  130,  169,  204,  212,  227,  233,240. 
Baird,  S.  F.,  73. 
Barratt,  J.,  173,  190,203. 
Binney,  A.,  83,  122. 
Boott,  F.  Dr.,  30,  189,  196. 
Brown,  B.  B.,  83. 
Brown,  G.,  40. 
Chapman,  A.  W.,  75. 
Choate,  R.,  86. 
Conrad,  T.  A.,  36. 
Courtis  Fund,  47,  55,  63,  64,  72,  83, 
86,  130,  140,  145,  156,  157,204,  212, 
227,  233,  253,  262. 
Cramer,  C,  189. 

Dana,  J.  D.,  114,  189,207,212,248. 
Davis,  John,  240. 
De  Kay,  J.  E.,  86. 
Delessert,  Benjamin,  39. 
Dixwell,  E.  S.,  76. 
D'Orbigny,  A.,  240. 
Emerson,  G.  B.,  207. 
Emmons,  Prof,  30,  83,  140,  173,  189, 

196,212,250. 
Fitch,  Asa,  204. 
Gay,  M.,  240. 
Gibbes,  R.  W.,  75,  255. 
Gray,  Asa,  50,  89,  131, 
Haldeman,  S.  S.,  189,  255. 
Hall,  J. ,255. 

Institute,  Historical,  France,  189. 
Institute,  National,  204. 
Jackson,  C.  T.,  18. 
Jomard,  M.,  146. 
Journal  of  Natural  History,  Calcutta, 

219. 
Journal  of  Science,  American,  40,  94, 
115,    140,    157,  204,  212,  233,248, 
253. 


269 


Library,  Donations  to,  (Continued.) 

Lyceum  of  Natural  History,  N.York, 
135,  ISO,  227,  2.-.3. 

Magazine    of  Horticulture,   94,  227, 
233,  213,  253,  255. 

McClelland,  J.,  135. 

Morris,  J.  E.,  lUl. 

Morton,  S.  G.,  13,  215. 

Museum,  British,  18. 

Olney,  S.  T.,  54. 

Redfield,  J.  H.,  135. 

Redfield,  W.  C.,212. 

Ruschenberger,  Dr.,  53. 

Silliman,  B.  Jr.,  89. 

Society,  American  Philosophical,  18, 
40,  86,  130,  131,  140,  189,227. 

Society,  Entomological,  London,  63, 
75. 

Society,  Franklin,  Providence,   153, 
233. 

Society,  Geological,  France,  76,  240. 

Society,  Horticultural,  Mass.,  215. 

Society,  Imperial,  St.  Petersburgh,  89. 

Society,  Linna;an,  London,  207. 

Society,  Zoological,  London,  35,  233. 

Stodder,  C.,47. 

Storer,  D.  H.,  146. 

Sullivant,  W.  S.  122. 

Teschemacher,  J.  E.,  75. 

Torrey,  J.,  75. 

Van  Ozersky,  A.,  75. 

Vattemare,  A.,  250,  253. 

Virlet  d'Aoust,  64, 

Von  Martins,  169. 

Ward,  N.  B.,233. 

Warren,  E.,  240. 

Wheatley,  C.  M.,  63. 

Winthrop,   R.  C,    13,  86,  163,  173, 
189,  262. 
Lignite,  213. 
Lima  pellucida,  103. 
Limnea  lepida,  211. 

volutata,  211. 

Linguatula  armillata,  59. 

clavata,  59. 

Littorina  angulifera,  anatomy  of,  52. 

cincla,  252. 

Loess,  of  the  Rhine,  123. 
Lophius  Amencauus,  234. 
Lottia,  84. 

cymbiola,  151. 

pintadina,  151. 

Lucina  granulosa,  9. 

imbricala,  10. 

pulchella,  10. 

Lutra  Americana,  249. 


Macropetalichthys,  rapheidolabris,  IIG. 
Manalus  nasutus,  198. 
Margiiiella  rubella,  1. 
Mason,  Rev.  F.     Notices  of  the  Zoolo- 
gy of  Burmah,  58. 


Mastodon  giganteus,  60,  96,  140. 
Meelmgs,  annual,  40,  136,227. 
Melania   baccaia,   219. 

bulliosa,  225. 

corolla,  223. 

corporosa,  223. 

Cybele,  222. 

fluctuosa,  219. 

furfurosa,  225. 

herculea,  luO. 

humerosa,  219. 

lutosa,  223. 

pagodula,  219. 

scipio,  224. 

scitula,  224. 

silicula,  224. 

spinifera,  17. 

Terpsichore,  222. 

tetrica,222. 

Vainafa,  224. 

Melanopsis  Zelandica,  225. 
Melocactus  viridescens,  44. 
Members,  Corresponding, 

Adams,  C.  B.,  38. 

Atwood,  N.  E.,262. 

Barratt,  J.,  64. 

Carlton,  J.  H.,  101. 

Clapp,  A.,  58. 

Clark,  S.  C,  58. 

Dean,  William,  50. 

Deane,  J.,  33. 

Desor,  E.,  242. 

Dickeson,  M.  W.,  50. 

Forshey,  C.  G.,  105- 

Gibbes,  L.  R.,232. 

Gibbes,  R.  W.,  169. 

Le  Conte,  J.  L.,  S3. 

Leidy,  Jos.,  50. 

Matthews,  C.  H.,  262. 

Norwood,  T.  G.,  122. 

Phelps,  Dr.,  232. 

Plummer,  J.  T.,  122. 

Pourtales,  Count  F.,  242. 

Wailes,  B.  C  L.,  50. 
Members,  elected. 

Ainsworth,  S.  F.,  40. 

Amory,  T.  C.  Jr.,  46. 

Andrews,  H.  G.,  46. 

Appleton,  J.  VV.,236. 

Austin,  S.  Jr.,  47. 

Bailey,  Thomas,  130. 

Banvard,  Jos.,  152. 

Bigelow,  S.  L.,  188. 

Billaud,  F.,250. 

Blake,  G.  B.,46. 

Blunt,  P.  W.,  17. 

Bumstead,  J.  F.,  264. 

Burnett,  W.  L,  253. 

Cabot,  E.  C.,253. 

Chandler,  A.,  50. 

Curtis,  J.,  83. 

Dale,  VV.  J.,  105. 

Darracott,  F.,  36. 


270 


Members,  elected.  (Continued.) 

Davis,  F.  W.,  130. 

Dearborn,  E.  R.,  244. 

Dickinson,  S.  N.,  50. 

Dix,  J.  H.,  105. 

Flint,  W.,  46. 

Gray,  H.  Jr.,  200. 

Hall,  E.  50. 

Hayvvard,  G.  Jr.,  50. 

Heard,  J.  T.,  244. 

Heaton,  G  ,  50. 

Higginson,  VV.,  39. 

Hobbins,  Jos.,  46. 

Humphrey,  H.  B.,  242. 

Kneeland,"  S.  Jr.,  169. 

Kuhn,G.,46. 

Lloyd,  J.,  114. 

Loring,  H.  Jr.,  101. 

Parker,  T.,  228. 

Parker,  W.  A.,  36. 

Peabody,  Jos.,  130. 

Phillips,  E.,  215. 

Pierce,  B.  C,  253. 

Pope,  P.  P.,  47. 

Reed,  C,  40. 

Sheafe,  C.  C.  200. 

Slade,  D.  D.,  39. 

Sleeper,  J.,  47. 

Smalley,  D.  S.,  39. 

Snow,  A.  B.,  39. 

Sprague,  C.  J.,  232. 

Slanwood,  L.,  46. 

Story,  F.  H.  Jr.,  46. 

Thayer,  W.  H.,203. 

Tucker,  J.,  244. 

Walker,  J.  B.,  36. 

Warren,  H.,  122. 

Whitton,  J.  M.,  122. 

Whitwell,  J.  W.,256. 

Wightman,  J.  M.,47. 

Wilder,  M.  P.,  215. 

Winslow,  E.,  47. 
MiGHELs,  J.  W.     Shells  from  the  Sand- 
wich Islands,  18. 
Mitra  alho-cincta,  2. 

exigua,  2. 

Monodonta  angulata,  7. 

livido-maculata,  7. 

maculo-striala,  6. 


Nassa  elata,  38. 

turbinea,  37. 

Natica  caurina,  239. 

fossata,  263. 

■ hcros,  210. 

Lewisii,  239. 

soluta,  239. 

Nematura  puncticulata,  220. 
Nerita  arliculata,  220. 

musiva,  238. 

pra;cognita,  7. 

Neritina  amoena,  238. 


Neritina  capillulata,  220. 

cholerica,  237. 

chrysocolla,  237. 

helvola,  238. 

porcata,  237. 

pygmaea,  7. 

siderea,  238. 

Norwood,  J.  G.    Description  of  a  fos- 
sil Fish,  116. 
Nucula  bicuspidata,  37. 
turgida,  100. 


Officers  chosen,  42,  137,  227. 
Officers'  reports,  41,  136,  229. 
Ophiosaurus  striatulus,  235. 
Osmerus  viridescens,  106. 
Ottrelite,  88. 


Paecilia  olivacea,  51. 
Palinurus  perciformis,  ISO. 
Paludina  anthracina,  22. 

porrecta,  22. 

rivularis,  17. 

Partula  conica,  196. 

pusilla,  197. 

virgulata,  20. 

zebrina,  196. 

Patella  albicosta,  8. 

araneosa,  152. 

citruUus,  149. 

conica,  151. 

fimhriata,  149. 

illuminata,  149. 

— instahilis,  150. 

lucluosa,  150. 

Paumotensis,  150. 

piperata,  150. 

sagitlata,  148. 

scabra,  152. 

lalcosa,  148. 

tenera,  8. 

textilis,  152. 

Pedipes  globulosus,  12. 

Perca  flavescens,  disease  of,  157. 
Perkins,  G.  A.    Description  of  a  Ma- 

natus,  198. 
Perna  bicolor,  9. 
Fhacolile,  87. 

Phalangium  Pomeridianum,  188. 
Pholas  branchiata,  37. 
costata,  82. 

truncata,  82. 

Physa  gibbosa,  214. 
producta,  21. 

reticulata,  214. 

sinuata,  214. 

tabulata,  214. 

umbilicata,  21. 

venustula,  215. 

vinosa,  263. 

virginea,  215. 


271 


Pica  melanoleuca,  73. 
Pileopsis  crystallina,  161. 
Planorbis  dentilerus,  17. 

opercularis,  212. 

pallidus,  102. 

vermicularis,  212. 

Platessa  quadrocellala,  242. 
Pleurotoina  acuminata,  23. 

albida,  3. 

alho-cincta,  3. 

albo-maculata,  3. 

alho-vitlata,  4. 

candidissiina,  4. 

J circumsecta,  24. 

■ coronata,  23. 

crassilabrum,  23. 

dubia,  4. 

elatior,  4. 

fusca,  4. 

fnsco-liueata,  4. 

micans,  23. 

minor,  4. 

multilineata,  3. 

• nigrescens,  3. 

obnubila,  24. 

pumila,  23. 

rugosa,  23. 

smuosa,  23. 

■ todilla,  24. 

Inlineata,  3. 

Polyadelphite,  88. 
Polyihalamia,  164. 
Prionotus  pileatus,  77. 

tribulus,  51. 

Psammobia  affinis,  10. 

biradiata,  10. 

cerina,  10. 

figlina,  37. 

purpureo-maculata,  10. 

Pupa  admodesta,  19. 

decora,  263. 

data,  197. 

fusiformis,  14. 

mellila,  99. 

nobilior,  15. 

obesa,  15. 

peponum,  197. 

rosea,  102. 

rubella,  15. 

lantilla,  197. 

tenuidens,  15. 

Purpura  nodulosa,  2. 
Pygorynchus  Gouldii,  192,  193. 
Pyranga  roseo-gularis,  187. 
Pyrrhite,  108. 

Reports,  verbal ;  by 
Agassiz,  Prof.  134,  137, 193,  210,  243. 
Alger,  F.,  251. 
Ayres,  W.  O.,  264. 
Bacon,  J.  Jr.,  33,  39,  126. 
Blake,  Mr.  26. 
Bouve,  Mr.,  80,  184. 


Reports,  verbal,  (Continued.) 

Cabot,  S.  Jr.,   46,  55,  63,  73,  89,  93, 
118,  120,179,203,  213,226. 

Channing,  W.  F.,  188,  193,  194. 

Dana,  J.  D.,  50. 

Desor,  Edward,  217,  247,  256,  260. 

Gouid,  A.  A.,  29,  45,  81,  83,  107,  226, 
259,  263. 

Gray,  Asa,  57,  92. 

Hale,  E.  hi.,  54. 

Hubbard,  O.  P.,  158. 

Jackson,  C.  T.,  25,  33,  45,    122,  147, 
155,  198,  213,  218,  256,  260. 

Jackson,  J.  B.  S.,  51,  52,  53,  140. 

Kneeland,  S.  Jr.,  241,  249, 

Peabody,  J.,  259. 

Richards,  Mr,,  36. 

Rogers,  H.  D.,  79,  109,  124. 

Shurtleff,  N.  B.,  96,  116. 

Stodder,  C,  131,  213. 

Storer,  D.  H.,  38,   50,  51,  71,  77,  85, 
105,  170,  ISO,  242,247,  256. 

Teschemacher,  J.  E.,  44,  45,  73,  84, 
123,  188,  260. 

Warren,  J.  C,  256,  261,  264. 

Wyman,  Jeffries,   38,40,  46,  47,51, 
54,  163,213,  226,234,243,246,249. 
Reports  and  Reviews,  written  ;  by 

Abbott,  S.  L.,  261. 

Adams,  C.  B.,  102,  228. 

Alger,  F.,  87. 

Bacon,  J.  Jr.,  164,  195. 

Batchelder,  J.  M.,  78. 

Bigelow,  S.  L.,  206. 

Bouve,  T.  T.,  35,  192. 

Cabot,  S.  Jr.,  74,  187,  257,  258. 

Dewey,  Prof.,  209. 

Forshey,  C.  J.,  162. 

Gibbes,  L.  R.,  68. 

Gould,  A.  A.,  53. 

Hale,  E.  E.,  90. 

Hall,  James,  167. 

Jackson,  C.  T.,  170,217. 

Kirlland,  J.  P.,  49. 

Kneeland,  S.  Jr.,  264. 

Leidv,  Jos.,  52,  57. 

Perkins,  G.  A.,  198. 

Storer,  D.  H.,  47,  48,  51,  73,  76,  103, 
243. 

Teschemacher,  J.  E.,  107,  254. 

Wood,  W.,  174. 

Wyman,  J.,  59,  138. 
Rimula  cucullala,  159. 

galeata,  159. 

Rissoa  affinis,  6. 

• albida,  6. 

crassicosta,  6. 

scalarella,  6. 

tervaricosa,  6. 

Rogers,   H.  D.  and  W.  B.     On   the 

Boulder  trains  of  Berkshire  County, 

Mass.,  79.— On  the  Mineralogy  and 

Geology  of  Lake  Superior,  124. 


272 


Sand  of  Zahara,  examination  of,  126, 
164,  170. 

Savage,  T.  S.  On  Troglodytes  goril- 
la, 245. 

Scalaria  gracilenta,  252. 

modesta,  7. 

texturata,  252. 

Shovel-fish.  134. 

Sigaretus  filicatus,  22. 

Singing  mouse,  261. 

Siphonaria  cornuta,  153. 

inculta,  153. 

lateralis,  153. 

lepida,  154. 

normalis,  154. 

Solarium  cyclostomum,  22. 

• implexum,  22. 

Sterna  acuflavida,  257. 

canliaca,  257. 

Slomatella  concinna,  26. 

Storer,  D.  H.  Synopsis  of  Ohio 
fishes,  103. 

Strophomena,  184. 

Succinea  caduca,  21. 

canella,  184. 

cepulla,  182. 

coutorta,  12. 

crocata  183. 

humerosa,  183. 

infundihuliformis,  186. 

lumbalis,  183. 

Magellanica,  185. 

Manuana,  185. 

modesta,  186. 

patula,  21 . 

procera,  187. 

pudorina,  186. 

putamen,  182. 

rotundata,  182. 

rusticana,  187.     . 


semiserica,  100. 

venusia,  186. 

vesicalis,  183. 

Synguathus  Californiensis,  73. 


Tehennophorus  Caroliniensis,  59. 
Tellina  decussatula,  10. 

nitens,  10. 

rubicunda,  37. 

Temnodon  saltator,  179,  248. 
Tern,  243. 

Teschemacher,  J.  E.  On  JVIelocactus 
viridescens,  44. — On  Damourite  and 
Pyrrhite,  107.— On  Fossil  vegetation, 
146, 254. 


Tetrao  cupido,  120. 
Thetis  cerina,  9. 

parva,  9. 

Thysanella,  55. 
Tornatella  hullata,  251. 
Torpedo  occidentalis,  71,  170,247. 
Triton  lacunatum,  24. 
Trochilus  Yucatanensis,  74. 
Troehus  gemmatus,  27. 

verruca,  27. 

Troglodytes  albinucha,  258. 

gorilla,  245.    * 

Truncatella  auranlia,  208. 

Cumingii,  12. 

porrecta,  208. 

rostrata,  209. 

scalariformis,  12. 

succinea,  12. 

Vitiana,  208. 

Turbo  pulchellus,  7. 
rubricinctus,  22. 


Unio  generosus,  220. 

paludicolus,  53, 

papyraceus,  53. 


Vitrina  caperata,  181. 

marcida,  181. 

nitida,  180. 

robusta,  181. 

Ruivensis,  180. 

tenella,  181. 


Whale,  skeleton  of,  53. 

Whiting,  243. 

Wild  oat,  seeds  of,  194. 

Wood,  William.  Description  of  a 
Shark,  174. 

WvMAN,  Jeffries.  On  the  fossil 
skeleton  of  Hydrarchos  Sillimani,  65. 
— On  Castoroides  Ohioensis,  138. — 
On  two  species  of  Lingualula,  59. — 
On  Troglodytes  gorilla,  245. 


Yttro-cerite,  87. 
Yucca,  254. 

Zeuglodon,  65,  79,  96. 


I